You need assistance whether you have a single injury that requires medical attention or a condition that worsens over time. If an injury prevents you from working, New Jersey's Workers' Compensation system is in place to help.
An injury can occur in the workplace unexpectedly and in almost any industry, so do workers' comp claims. It may appear that only workers who have physically demanding jobs suffer injuries and collect workers' comp, yet accidents can happen to anyone at any time.
What injuries qualify for workers' comp in New Jersey? We will talk about that below. However, consulting a NJ workers' comp lawyer is recommended, as you may have specific circumstances that do not apply or if you have been denied benefits. A lawyer, such as those at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law can help answer questions for you.
"Work-Related Injury" Defined
If you suffer an injury while working you will likely be entitled to workers' comp benefits.
If you spend your workday shift driving a vehicle, for example, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits in the event of a car accident. If you were involved in an auto accident on the way to or from work, you would not qualify. Repetitive stress injuries might happen if your profession requires you to repeatedly carry out the same actions, resulting in conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. When recovering at home, you can still collect workers' comp benefits.
"Work-related injuries" are those that occur while performing tasks related to your employment duties. According to OSHA, "the establishment and other locations where one or more employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment" constitute the workplace. Both the physical spaces in which an employee performs his or her duties and any tools or supplies that are integral to those tasks are considered part of the workplace.
Common Injuries Sustained in the Workplace
In the workplace, an injury to any portion of the body is possible, no matter what your job is. Workers' comp benefits are there to aid you and your loved ones in the event of an injury that necessitates medical attention.
The injuries that are the most common are, but not limited to:
- Back, neck and spine injuries
- Knee or arm injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Mental anguish
- Death
What Does Workers' Compensation Benefits Cover?
Workers' compensation in New Jersey includes medical care to treat your injuries and wage loss benefits.
Your employer, typically through their workers' compensation insurance provider, is liable for covering the costs of any necessary and appropriate medical care if you have a work-related accident or illness. This covers all types of medical care, such as surgery, hospitalization, prescription drugs, equipment, physical or occupational therapy, and doctor visits. Be aware that, with limited exceptions, your employer has the right to select the medical professionals who will diagnose and treat your work injury in New Jersey.
If you are hurt and it prevents you from working for longer than seven days, you may be eligible for wage loss benefits. Subject to a minimum and maximum rate prescribed by law, the amount of these benefits is normally 70% of your average weekly wage. This is available for 400 weeks, or until you are able to return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
Need Help With Your Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you sustain an injury at work, you should report it right away and file a claim. But, if you find yourself in need of assistance, you should contact a New Jersey workers' comp lawyer. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is ready to help you with your NJ workers' compensation case and benefits.
We have helped many clients who were in your shoes. Contact us as soon as you can so that we can discuss the details of your case and the potential solutions.