New York Court Rules Tina Fey to be Fined for Failing to Pay Workers Comp
Comedian and television star Tina Fey has been fined by New York workers comp court for lapsing on required employee insurance since 2012.
The New York State Workers Compensation Board ruled on Friday, March 28th, that the writer and actress owed $79,000, reportedly for both lapsed workers comp coverage and “penalties.” The bill reportedly covered the period between November 20th, 2012, and February 2nd, 2014.
However, the bill was sent to an outdated office address, and specifically to Tina Fey herself, rather than her production company, Little Stranger. Fey’s spokeswoman, Cara Tripicchio, said the star “has proper and current insurance covering all employees and at no time has worker’s compensation payment lapsed.”
“The confusion seems to be a result of a clerical error with the NYS WC Board,” she said. “They have been sending notifications to an old address for an accountant that moved offices almost six years ago.”
Tripicchio added that workers comp officials could have avoided any confusion if they had simply requested copies of paperwork that proved Fey’s production company has up-to-dateworkers comp coverage, rather than sending a fine.
A similar claim against comedian and painter Jim Carrey involving his artist studio, Church of the FFC, was ruled a clerical error. Carrey received a $72,000 fine for allegedly failing to pay workers comp insurance for all of 2010, but his accountant had records stating that the company and Carrey paid for all employees consistently and on time.
Why do I need a work injury lawyer to get worker’s comp benefits?
Anyone can file a workers comp claim for a work-related injury on their own. The South Carolina Worker’s Comp Commission is supposed to oversee conflicts that arise between the injured employee and the employer’s insurance company.
However, even with a mediator, an injured employee is challenged to act on his own behalf against a business entity. Insurance companies have lawyers, lots of fine print and look for reasons not to pay. Workers’ compensation is their business. The company’s employees are experts. An injured employee is in a weakened and stressed state. Plus, the employee must be evaluated by a doctor hired by the insurance company; this evaluation is used to determine approval, treatment and/or settlement of the employee’s worker’s comp claim.
Here’s a quick look at specific obstacles that commonly arise in Workman’s Comp claims:
- Denied Claims
- Dispute Over Medical Treatments & Needs
- Return to Work Disputes
- Dispute Over Claim Settlement Offered
- A Third-Party Is Also to Blame
- Your Appeal Is Ready for District Court
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Workers Comp Claims in South Carolina
The workers comp lawyers at The Strom Law Firm, LLC proudly seek justice on behalf of employees injured or killed on the job who work for private companies, as well as employees working for local county, city, and state government. We are licensed to practice throughout South Carolina, as well as Georgia and New York. If you are confused about worker’s comp laws, or have had your worker’s comp claim denied, contact us. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800
