N.Y. Employers' Liability Law § 12: Preferential claim; not assignable or subject to attachment; attorney's fees

§ 12. Preferential claim; not assignable or subject to attachment;

attorney's fees. Any person entitled to weekly payments under the plan

against any employer shall have the same preferential claim therefor

against the assets of the employer as now allowed by law for a claim by

such person against such employer for unpaid wages or personal services.

Weekly payments due under the plan shall not be assignable or subject to

attachment, levy or execution. No claim of an attorney for any

contingent interest in any recovery under the plan for services in

securing such recovery shall be an enforceable lien thereon, unless the

amount of the same be approved in writing by a justice of the supreme

court, or in case the same is tried in any court, before the justice

presiding at such trial.