What New York’s New Warehouse Injury Law Means for Workers
Starting June 1, 2025, warehouse workers across New York will benefit from stronger protections aimed at reducing workplace injuries. Thanks to recent amendments to New York’s Warehouse Worker Protection Act (WWPA), employers must take new steps to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders—some of the most common and debilitating injuries facing warehouse employees today.
These changes matter not just for workplace safety, but also for workers' compensation claims. If you've been hurt working in a warehouse, or believe repetitive stress on the job has caused a medical condition, understanding your rights is critical.
What Changed in the Law?
The February 2025 amendments to the WWPA tighten employer responsibilities for preventing musculoskeletal injuries and reinforce workers' rights to a safe environment. Key updates include:
· A Broader Definition of Injury: The law now specifically protects against “work-related musculoskeletal disorders,” which include injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and spinal discs that develop due to repetitive motion, awkward postures, cold conditions, forceful exertions, and similar ergonomic hazards.
· Required Injury Reduction Programs: Covered employers must implement a written, job-specific injury reduction program that includes risk evaluations, employee training, and on-site medical protocols.
· Employee Input and Access: Warehouse employees must now be involved in job evaluations, and they have the right to access these reports within one business day of request—at no cost.
· Medical Oversight: On-site medical services must follow specific guidelines and be overseen by licensed occupational health professionals to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.
If you’re working in a warehouse distribution center with 100 or more employees (or if your employer operates 1,000+ workers statewide across warehouse sites), this law likely applies to you—even if you're employed through a temp agency or subcontractor.
What This Means for Injured Workers
While the updated WWPA focuses on injury prevention, it doesn't replace your right to file a workers’ compensation claim if you're already hurt. And that’s where MCV Law comes in.
Whether your injury happened from a single incident (like lifting a heavy box) or developed over time (like tendonitis or back strain from repetitive tasks), you may be entitled to medical care and lost wage benefits under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law.
If your injury involves poor workplace ergonomics, unfair quotas, or repetitive strain from long hours and excessive pacing, it may directly relate to your employer’s failure to meet the requirements of the WWPA. This can strengthen your case.
Don’t Wait—Time Limits Apply
If you’ve been injured at work, you must notify your employer in writing within 30 days of the incident or the date you became aware your injury was work-related. After that, you should file a claim with the NY Workers’ Compensation Board and speak with an attorney who understands both warehouse injuries and the nuances of the updated law.
Questions? Connect With Our Team!
How MCV Law Helps Injured Warehouse Workers
At MCV Law, we’ve helped thousands of injured workers navigate the workers’ compensation system. Our attorneys understand the physical demands of warehouse jobs and the challenges employees face—especially in fast-paced environments like Amazon, UPS, or third-party logistics providers.
We work on contingency, meaning you pay us nothing unless your claim is successful. We’ll help you:
· File and pursue your Workers’ Compensation claim
· Connect your injuries to unsafe working conditions
· Understand your rights under the new WWPA requirements
· Coordinate medical care and workplace protections
· Fight back against retaliation or unsafe practices
Need Help with a Warehouse Work Injury?
Whether you were injured lifting heavy objects, hurt by repetitive motion, or pushed beyond your physical limits by an unrealistic pace or quota, MCV Law is here to help.
Our legal team stays up to date on changes to New York law—like the WWPA amendments—to ensure your claim reflects the latest protections available. Don’t let your employer or insurance company minimize your injury.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney at MCV Law today for a free consultation. Let us help you get the benefits and medical care you deserve.
"Very happy with MCV Law. Christopher Stringham and Valerie Swieck have helped me with several injuries over the years and won every case. They are pleasant to work with and explain everything. I recommend them to anyone needing help with Workers' Comp. I am very happy I went with them."
-Jim T., a satisfied MCV Law client