Experienced New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyers Can Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
Getting injured at work, no matter what the type or severity of the injury, can be a stressful experience. You might be facing high medical bills or unable to go back to work, and getting the proper care for workplace injuries is more complicated than going to the doctor for injuries sustained in your free time. This is why every employer in New Jersey is required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance. There are state laws in place to make sure that employees who suffer workplace injuries or illness can pay their medical bills, recover lost wages for being out of work, and claim disability benefits if unable to go back to work.
The workers compensation lawyers at Gold, Albanese, Barletti & Locascio, L.L.C. have decades of experience representing injured workers throughout the state of New Jersey, including Morristown and Red Bank where our offices are located.
What Qualifies as a Workers Compensation Injury in New Jersey?
Workplace injuries are wide ranging and can include anything from construction accidents to motor vehicle accidents to slips and falls to railroad injuries. Generally, in order to be able to file a workers compensation claim, you must meet four basic requirements:
- You are an employee of the company where the injury took place.
- You have an injury or illness you sustained either at work or while performing work-related duties off-site.
- Your employer has workers comp insurance, which is required by law in New Jersey.
- You reported your injury and filed for compensation within New Jersey’s deadlines.
- You must file a claim petition within two years of the injury / illness or the last payment of compensation, whichever comes last.
Meeting these necessary requirements can make you eligible for workers compensation benefits.
How Does Workers Compensation Work in NJ?
If you are injured while working, either at work or off-site, the first thing you should do is report your injury to your supervisor. Once your employer has been notified, you should seek immediate medical attention. Under New Jersey workers’ compensation laws, your employer or their insurance carrier can select the health care providers to treat your work-related injuries. Ask your employer for a list of eligible health care providers and go to the ER or doctor right away to have your injury evaluated.
Your employer will then notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier immediately. The insurance company will evaluate the claim and determine whether you are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits under the circumstances. If there is a dispute between you and your employer or their insurance carrier over your entitlement to benefits, you may file a claim petition with the NJ Division of Workers Compensation.
How Much Does Workers Comp Pay in New Jersey?
The compensation for a workplace injury varies depending on the situation and the extent of the injury. Under New Jersey law, workers’ compensation is a ‘no fault’ insurance program. This means that an injured employee is entitled to benefits regardless of who was responsible for the accident, as long as it happened at work or was work-related. Workers compensation benefits include:
- Medical Benefits: These benefits compensate you for any necessary and reasonable medical treatments related to your injury.
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits: These are wage loss benefits to compensate you for the period of time when you are unable to work. They are usually set at 70% of your average weekly wages before the injury.
- Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: These benefits compensate you if your workplace injury has caused a permanent impairment.
- Permanent Total Disability Benefits: These benefits compensate you if you are no longer able to work due to your injuries.
- Wrongful Death Benefits: These benefits compensate the dependents of employees who die because of a workplace injury or illness.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Workers’ Compensation?
If you are injured while working, it is very important to understand your rights and options. Any mistake in filing a claim or presenting your case can result in the loss of benefits you deserve. That is why it is critical to seek the help of an experienced NJ workers compensation lawyer. We will thoroughly investigate your case and fight to get you the proper compensation for your injuries. If your claim is denied, we can appeal it and help you get the benefits you are entitled to, even if it has already been closed.
How Much Does a Workers Comp Lawyer Cost?
Employees who are injured at work are often concerned about how they will pay for a lawyer when they are unable to work. Our payment for workers’ compensation cases is on a contingency basis, which means there is no upfront cost to you, and there will be no fee until we win your case. We also offer free consultations if you would like to discuss the details of your case with us before moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions about NJ Workers Compensation
We get a lot of questions from our clients about the New Jersey workers compensation process. Here are some common questions we are asked:
- How Long Does Workers Comp Last in NJ?
- How Much Does Permanent Disability Pay in NJ?
- How Much Money Will Workers Compensation Payout for a Lower Back Injury?
- Do I Still Get Workers Comp if I Quit?
- Can You Be Fired While On Workers Comp in NJ?
- Is Workers Comp Taxable in NJ?
- How Do I Claim Workers Compensation?
- What Counts as a Workplace Injury?
- Can I Work Another Job While on Workers Comp?
- What Are the Most Common Workers Comp Injuries?
We can help you understand your rights and options after a workplace injury with answers to these questions and more. See our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.