Claims for Occupational Disease and Death

If your spouse or parent dies of a disease caused by occupational exposure, including lung disease and cancer, you are entitled to file a claim for death benefits under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law, provided that your claim is filed within two years of the date of death. Filing a death claim should be accompanied by a copy of the death certificate, the autopsy report, if one was performed, the funeral bill, proof of family relationship (a marriage certificate, and the birth certificate of the decedent) as well as the birth certificate of the surviving spouse or children.