New Jersey’s Workers Compensation Program is based on state laws that require employers to carry no-fault insurance that pays benefits to employees who are injured in on the job accidents or who develop work-related illnesses. Examples of the kinds of injuries that workers’ compensation may pay benefits for include the following:
- Work-related hearing loss
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- A sprained back
- Whiplash sustained in a work-related vehicle accident
- Burns
Workers compensation was implemented to protect employers from lawsuits from their employers that could put them out of business while ensuring that injured workers were able to have their medical expenses and lost income covered. Both sides give something up – employers are required to carry insurance (which costs them a monthly premium), and workers are prevented from suing their employers for work-related injuries in almost all cases.
Importantly, the benefits available through workers’ compensation are only intended to pay for an employee’s lost income, medical expense, permanent disability, and vocational rehabilitation. As a result, the total value of workers’ compensation benefits an injured employee receives is often significantly lower than the amount of compensation he or she could have obtained through personal injury claim. For this reason, if it is possible for an injured worker to pursue a personal injury action, it is generally advisable to do so.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Obtain Workers Compensation Benefits?
When workers hear that they do not have to prove fault to obtain benefits, they sometimes believe that getting their benefits will be as simple as submitting paperwork to their employer or their employer’s insurance company. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and a significant number of injured workers experience significant difficulty in getting the benefits they desperately need. For this reason, it is always a good idea to talk to a lawyer after being involved in a workplace accident or developing a work-related illness. In many cases, an attorney can help you get your benefits more quickly than you would be able to on your own and can help avoid any problems with your claims before they arise. If your claim is denied, having an New Jersey workers comp attorney on your side will make it possible to appeal your denial as soon as possible and maximize your chances of a successful appeal.
Call 732-422-1000 today for a consultation.
If you have been hurt in a workplace accident or developed an illness that you believe is related to your work environment, you should contact an attorney as soon as you can. To schedule a case evaluation with a workers compensation lawyer, call Borrus, Goldin, Foley, Vignuolo, Hyman & Stahl, PC today at 732-422-1000 or send us an email through our online contact form.
