The 2007 Workers’ Compensation Reform legislation mandated that the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) Chair establish WAMO, “…to negotiate and seek Board approval for waiver agreements on behalf of the special disability fund.” [WCL §32(e)]. This and the other 2007 legislative amendments  within WCL §32, are part of the two-pronged approach to close the Special Disability Fund as quickly and completely as possible; and thereby greatly reduce or eliminate the annual assessments against self-insured employers, insurance carriers and the State Insurance Fund. The first prong of the reform legislation’s approach is the prohibition of Special Disability Fund reimbursement under WCL §15(8)(d) and §14(6) for any and all cases with a date of accident or date of disablement on or after July 1, 2007. The second prong is the resolution of claims by WAMO, together with the other mechanisms provided by the amendments to WCL §32; all of which will aid in greatly reducing or eliminating assessments.

WAMO Overview