Camden County Workers’ Compensation Claims Stemming from Injuries Caused by Falling Objects
For many employees, such as those in the warehousing, manufacturing and construction fields, falling objects pose a serious and ever-present risk. Despite taking every possible precaution, employees cannot control what’s going on above them and, regardless of the cause, sometimes accidents happen. Suffering a serious workplace injury after being struck by a falling object puts an employee in a difficult spot. On one hand, you don’t want to be seen as a “difficult” employee and may fear that your employer will take the fact that you filed a workers’ compensation claim as a sign of your lack of commitment. However, on the other hand, you need time to recover from your injuries if you want to stay healthy and enjoy a long career.
At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, our Camden County workers’ compensation lawyers aggressively pursue the benefits our clients need and deserve, helping them heal from their injuries so they can get back to work and on with their lives.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in New Jersey?
Based on the most recently available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 75,800 New Jersey workplace accidents occurring in the private sector in 2020. Of those, more than two-thirds resulted in an employee missing at least one day of work or requiring a job transfer or restriction. In addition, there were more than 16,500 public-sector employees who were injured on the job that same year.
The following occupations saw the highest rates of workplace accidents in New Jersey in 2020:
- Natural resources and mining workers,
- Manufacturing workers,
- Trade, transportation and utility workers,
- Leisure and hospitality workers,
- Construction workers, and
- State and local government workers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 12 percent of all fatal workplace accidents in New Jersey were the result of an employee being struck by an object. Nationwide, the total number of non-fatal workplace injuries accounts for more than 10 percent of all injuries.
Can Employees Injured in by a Falling Object Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Yes, under New Jersey workers’ compensation law, employees who are injured on the job as a result of a falling object can pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Additionally, the workers’ compensation process does not require the injured worker to prove that anyone else was responsible for their injuries. This makes proving your workers’ compensation claim easier than other types of personal injury claims. However, there are still challenges that employees routinely face when seeking workers’ comp benefits after a Camden County workplace accident stemming from a falling object.
For example, employees must prove that their injury was related to their employment. While this doesn’t always pose a hurdle, in some cases, it can. Additionally, employers and their workers’ compensation insurance carriers will often dispute the seriousness of an employee’s injuries, meaning certain medical treatment may not be covered, even if the treatment is recommended by their own doctor. Finally, workers who are struck by falling objects often face challenges arising from the workers’ compensation doctor’s suggestion they return to work earlier than their personal doctor suggests. This can mean an injured employee is forced to go back to work, putting their recovery in jeopardy.
Benefits in a Camden County Falling Objects Workers’ Compensation Claim
Employees who are injured in a Camden County workplace accident may qualify for the following workers’ compensation benefits.
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits cover all medical expenses related to your accident-related injuries, including:
- Ambulance transport expenses,
- Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and crutches,
- Emergency room costs,
- Follow-up visits to the doctor’s office,
- Modifications to a worker’s home to accommodate their disability,
- Physical or occupational therapy,
- Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, and
- Surgery.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If your work-related injury or illness requires you to miss more than seven days of work, you may be eligible for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. You can receive TTD benefits until you are able to go back to work or when the doctor determines you’ve reached your Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which is the point where your will no longer benefit from additional treatment. If you exhaust your TTD benefits by reaching your MMI, you can then apply for Permanent Partial Disability benefits or Permanent Total Disability benefits. TTD benefits equal 70 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of 75 percent of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
Permanent Partial Disability benefits
If a workplace injury affects only certain body parts or bodily systems, you may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits. The amount of PPD benefits depends on which part of the body was affected by the accident. New Jersey workers’ compensation law provides a “schedule” or list of body parts, including arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, eyes, ears, and teeth. If your injury affects another body part or bodily system, you may still qualify for PPD benefits under a non-scheduled loss.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
If your workplace injury prevents you from returning to work, you may be eligible for Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits. You can obtain PTD benefits for up to 450 weeks; however, if, at the end of this period, you can show you cannot work, you may continue to receive benefits. PTD benefits equal 70 percent of your average weekly wage and are subject to a maximum of 75 percent of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
Death Benefits
Families of workers who are killed in a Camden County workplace accident can pursue workers’ compensation death benefits to help them pay for some of the costs associated with the tragic loss of their loved one. Death benefits equal 70 percent of the accident victim’s weekly wages, subject to a maximum. Families are also eligible for up to $3,500 in funeral expenses.
Were You Hurt by a Falling Object at Work?
If you recently suffered serious injuries after being hit by a falling object while working in Camden County, NJ, reach out to Petrillo & Goldberg Law. At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, we have a team of knowledgeable Camden County workers’ compensation attorneys who are dedicated to pursuing benefits on behalf of injured workers. We offer all potential clients a free consultation. During your free consultation, we will answer all of your questions, explain the workers’ compensation process, provide you with an honest assessment of your case and discuss what we can do to help. To learn more, call 856-486-4343 to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach us through our online contact form.
