Employees in South Jersey rely on workers’ compensation benefits to help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs when they’re injured on the job. Petrillo & Goldberg Law understands that the workers’ compensation system can be confusing, especially when you’re dealing with an injury. Understanding your rights and the benefits you may be entitled to before you start the application process can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation in New Jersey

New Jersey law requires almost all employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance to their employees. This insurance provides crucial support to workers injured or made ill by their jobs. Unlike a traditional lawsuit, workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove that anyone was negligent for you to receive benefits. Instead, it’s enough to show that your injury or illness happened while you were performing your job duties.

Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to provide a financial safety net for employees recovering from work-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits can cover medical treatments, replace a portion of lost wages, and may provide additional payments if an injury results in a permanent disability. The process, however, can be complicated, and having a clear understanding of the benefits available can help you make informed decisions about your claim.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in South Jersey

In New Jersey, workers’ compensation includes several types of benefits, depending on the nature of your injury and the impact it has on your ability to work. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits you may be entitled to:

1. Medical Benefits: If you’re injured at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover all necessary and reasonable medical treatments related to your injury or illness. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and even transportation costs for medical appointments. However, your employer’s insurance provider typically has a say in selecting the doctors and facilities you use for your treatment.
2. Temporary Total Disability Benefits: If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you may qualify for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These payments replace a portion of your lost wages while you’re unable to work, calculated as 70% of your average weekly wage, up to a set maximum. TTD benefits continue until you are able to return to work or reach what’s called “maximum medical improvement” (MMI)—the point at which your condition is unlikely to improve further with medical treatment.
3. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: If your injury results in a lasting impairment but doesn’t completely prevent you from working, you may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. These payments are based on the specific type of impairment you have and the degree to which it affects your ability to perform daily activities and job duties. Injuries such as a permanent back problem, hearing loss, or a lost finger fall under this category.
4. Permanent Total Disability Benefits: In cases where an injury is severe enough where you’re unable to return to work at all, you may be entitled to permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. Examples of such injuries include the loss of both eyes, both hands, or both legs. PTD benefits provide 70% of your average weekly wage and may continue indefinitely, though they may be subject to review after 450 weeks.
5. Death Benefits for Surviving Family Members: If a workplace injury results in a worker’s death, the surviving family members may be entitled to death benefits. These benefits include compensation to help cover funeral expenses and weekly payments to surviving dependents, calculated as 70% of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to state maximums. These benefits are essential for families dealing with the loss of financial support due to a workplace accident.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in New Jersey

While New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system provides important benefits, filing a claim can involve numerous steps and documentation requirements. The first step after an injury is to report it to your employer as quickly as possible. New Jersey law generally requires that you notify your employer within 90 days of the injury, though reporting it right away is always best to avoid delays in your benefits.

After reporting the injury, your employer will direct you to an approved medical provider for treatment. If you need to take time off work, your employer should begin the process of paying temporary disability benefits. It’s essential to keep a record of all communications, medical treatments, and paperwork related to your injury.

How Petrillo & Goldberg Law Can Help You

Filing a workers’ compensation claim may seem straightforward, but challenges can—and often do—arise that complicate the process. Insurance companies may question the severity of your injury, deny necessary medical treatments, or attempt to reduce your benefits. This is where Petrillo & Goldberg Law steps in. Our New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers have extensive experience helping South Jersey workers fight for the benefits they deserve.

We understand the common obstacles that workers face in these cases, and we’re here to help ensure you receive proper compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and, when applicable, permanent injuries. Our legal team works closely with you, answering your questions and advocating on your behalf throughout the process.

Get the Help You Need Today by Speaking with a South Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer 

Workers’ compensation benefits are essential to getting back on your feet. Whether you’re dealing with an employer’s refusal to authorize medical treatment, delays in receiving wage benefits, or a denial of permanent disability compensation, you don’t have to face these issues alone. Petrillo & Goldberg Law is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your rights are protected. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with one of our New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers, call us today at 856-486-4343. Calling us is free, and because we take all cases on a contingency basis, we won’t collect a fee for our representation unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.