The purpose of the New Jersey Workers' Compensation Act, N.J.S.A. 34:15-1
et seq. is to ensure that employees injured during the course of employment
receive fair compensation for their injuries. The Act provides for three
different types of benefits for injured workers: (1) medical; (2) temporary
disability; and (3) permanent disability benefits. With regard to medical
benefits, the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier is
required to pay 100% of all medical bills for treatment rendered by
a physician of their choice. If the physician authorized by the workers'
compensation carrier determines that the employee is unable to work
as a result of his injuries, then the employee is entitled to receive
temporary disability benefits in the amount of 70% of his average weekly
wages. After the employee has been released from medical treatment,
he may be entitled to receive some percentage of permanent disability
benefits, if the injuries caused a significant restriction in the employee's
abilities.
It is imperative for the injured employee to contact an attorney as
soon as possible after an accident or injury occurs during the course
of employment. Unfortunately, many employers neglect to notify the workers'
compensation insurance carrier of the accident, and as a result, benefits
are not paid on a timely basis. Claims must be filed in the Division
of Workers' Compensation on a timely basis. We'll go over your injuries
and disabilities and make sure that the deadlines for filing your claims
are met. We'll explain the process and answer your questions from start
to finish. We'll work to make sure you receive that to which you are
entitled under the laws for the State of New Jersey.
