Workplace Accidents

Every day, workers across Pennsauken, New Jersey, head to job sites, warehouses, offices, and industrial facilities along the Route 130 corridor, near the Betsy Ross Bridge approach, and throughout Camden County, trusting that their employers keep them safe. When a workplace accident happens, it changes everything. Medical bills pile up. Paychecks stop. Families feel the pressure. If you or someone you love was hurt on the job, you need to understand your rights under New Jersey law, and you need attorneys who know how to protect them. At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, your South Jersey personal injury lawyer, we fight for injured workers in Pennsauken, Camden County, Gloucester County, Burlington County, and beyond.

Table of Contents

• New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law: What Every Injured Worker Must Know
• What Benefits Are Available After a Workplace Accident in Pennsauken?
• Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Pennsauken, New Jersey
• When Workers’ Compensation Is Not Enough: Third-Party Claims After a Workplace Accident
• Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident in Pennsauken
• FAQs About Workplace Accidents in Pennsauken, New Jersey

New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law: What Every Injured Worker Must Know

The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act, N.J.S.A. 34:15-1, was enacted in 1911 and is often called the “Grand Bargain,” under which injured workers gave up their right to sue employers for injuries sustained in a workplace accident. In exchange, workers receive swift access to medical care and lost wage benefits, and New Jersey operates a “no fault” system under this Act. That means you do not have to prove your employer did something wrong. You just have to prove the injury happened at work.

Virtually all individuals who work in the state are covered by the Act, with the exception of longshoremen and employees of the U.S. government. Whether you work at a distribution center off Haddonfield Road, a manufacturing plant near Pennsauken Creek, or a retail location along Route 73, this law most likely covers you.

To preserve your rights, a Claim Petition must be filed within two years of the accident or the last payment of benefits under N.J.S.A. § 34:15-51. Miss that deadline, and you could lose your right to benefits permanently. Do not wait to act.

Reporting your injury promptly is just as critical. Workers must report injuries to employers within 90 days under N.J.S.A. § 34:15-17, with shorter timeframes potentially required for certain benefits. While late notice may affect benefits, claims may still proceed if the employer had actual or constructive notice of the injury or if good cause is shown for the delay. The earlier you report, the stronger your position. If your employer disputes your claim or denies your benefits, the attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg Law are ready to step in on your behalf.

What Benefits Are Available After a Workplace Accident in Pennsauken?

New Jersey workers’ compensation covers more than just a doctor’s visit. Workers’ compensation is a system created by the New Jersey Legislature that provides benefits to workers who are injured or who contract an occupational disease while working. The benefits include medical care, temporary disability payments, and compensation for a resulting permanent disability. In the event of the death of an injured worker, benefits are payable to the family of the worker.

Wage replacement is a major part of what you are owed. For 2026, New Jersey increased the maximum weekly workers’ compensation benefit rate to $1,199, up from $1,159 in 2025. This applies to temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and dependency benefits. That increase reflects the rising cost of living and helps ensure injured workers are not left behind financially while they recover.

Understanding the difference between temporary and permanent disability matters a great deal. Temporary disability covers the period when you cannot work at all. Permanent partial disability applies when you recover but are left with a lasting impairment. Permanent total disability applies when you can never return to work. Each category carries its own benefit structure, and insurance carriers will often try to minimize what they pay you. That is why having a skilled work injury attorney review your claim before you sign anything is so important.

Workers in Pennsauken who suffer injuries at industrial sites near the Delaware River waterfront, along Derousse Avenue, or at the logistics hubs near Marlton Pike deserve every dollar the law allows. At Petrillo & Goldberg Law, we make sure you know exactly what you are entitled to receive.

Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Pennsauken, New Jersey

Pennsauken sits at a crossroads of commerce and industry. Warehouses, trucking operations, construction projects, and retail businesses line the major corridors throughout this Camden County township. That mix of industries creates a wide range of accident risks for local workers every single day.

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and cluttered walkways cause serious injuries to workers in every type of business setting. Falls from heights, including ladders, scaffolding, and loading docks, cause some of the most severe injuries seen in workplace accident claims. These incidents often lead to broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries that require long-term medical care.

Broken bones and other soft tissue injuries are common injuries caused by contact with equipment, transportation accidents, falling objects, and slip and falls. They may lead to temporary or even permanent disability depending upon the unique factors linked to your injury.

The repetition of the same movement day in and day out at your job can lead to injuries that cause permanent disability and ongoing pain. Some examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, a common injury experienced by computer workers, which is essentially a narrowing of the channel through which the nerves of the wrist move into the hand, causing pain and mobility issues.

Forklift accidents, chemical exposure, and industrial equipment malfunctions also rank among the most dangerous events Pennsauken workers face. If your injury falls into any of these categories, connecting with a South New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer at Petrillo & Goldberg Law can help you understand exactly what your case is worth.

When Workers’ Compensation Is Not Enough: Third-Party Claims After a Workplace Accident

Workers’ compensation covers most on-the-job injuries, but it is not always the only legal avenue available to you. In some situations, a third party, meaning someone other than your employer, may be responsible for causing your accident. When that happens, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim.

Think about a Pennsauken warehouse worker injured by a defective piece of machinery. The employer’s workers’ comp policy covers the worker’s medical bills and wage replacement. But the manufacturer of that faulty machine may also carry legal responsibility for the defect that caused the injury. That opens the door to a separate civil claim for pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages that workers’ compensation does not cover.

The same logic applies to truck accidents that happen during a delivery route. If a negligent driver from another company strikes a Pennsauken employee while that employee is working, the injured worker can pursue both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s employer. These cases connect closely to premises liability law as well, particularly when the accident happens on property owned or controlled by a third party.

Filing a third-party claim requires a thorough investigation, strong evidence, and a legal team that understands both personal injury law and workers’ compensation. The work injury attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg Law handle both sides of these cases and fight to maximize every dollar of compensation our clients receive.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident in Pennsauken

What you do in the hours and days after a workplace accident directly affects your ability to recover fair compensation. Many injured workers make mistakes early on that hurt their claims later. Knowing the right steps puts you in the strongest possible position.

First, report the injury to your supervisor immediately. Do not assume the pain will go away. Do not delay treatment hoping the pain will go away. Insurance companies argue that delayed treatment means the injury was not serious or did not happen at work. Seek medical attention right away, and make sure your doctor documents that your injury is work-related.

Second, document everything you can. Take photos of the accident scene. Write down the names of any witnesses. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and communications with your employer or their insurance company. Document everything: where you were, what you were doing, witnesses present, and how the injury occurred. Take photos of the accident scene if possible. Get contact information from anyone who saw what happened.

Third, be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster. Insurance companies are not on your side. They look for any reason to deny or reduce your benefits. Before you give a recorded statement, talk to an attorney. Workers in Camden County who need guidance on what to expect from their employer during recovery, including questions about light duty assignments, can get answers from a work injury lawyer at Petrillo & Goldberg Law.

Finally, know that younger workers and minors have rights too. Questions about whether workers’ compensation benefits in South New Jersey apply to injured minor workers are common, and the answer is generally yes, with some special considerations under state law.

Petrillo & Goldberg Law serves injured workers throughout the region from two convenient offices. You can reach the Pennsauken office at Petrillo & Goldberg Law, 6951 North Park Drive, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, Phone: 856.486.4343, Fax: 856.486.7979. The Woodbury office is located at Petrillo & Goldberg Law, 70 South Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096, Phone: 856.486.4343, Fax: 856.486.7979. The firm also serves clients at Petrillo & Goldberg Law, 19 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Phone: 856.486.4343, Fax: 856.486.7979. Call us today. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.

FAQs About Workplace Accidents in Pennsauken, New Jersey

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey?

You must file a Claim Petition within two years of your workplace accident or the last payment of workers’ compensation benefits under N.J.S.A. § 34:15-51. You also must report the injury to your employer within 90 days of the accident under N.J.S.A. § 34:15-17. Waiting too long can result in a complete loss of your right to benefits, so contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey?

New Jersey law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If your employer fires you, demotes you, or cuts your hours after you file a claim, that may constitute wrongful termination under New Jersey law. You may have grounds for a separate legal claim on top of your workers’ compensation case. Document any changes in your employment status after your injury and bring that information to an attorney right away.

What if my employer says I am an independent contractor, not an employee?

Whether you are truly an independent contractor or a misclassified employee is a legal question, not just a label your employer gets to decide. New Jersey uses a strict test to determine worker classification. Many workers labeled as contractors are actually employees under state law and are entitled to full workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer denies your claim based on your classification, speak with an attorney before accepting that answer.

Do I have to see the doctor my employer picks after a workplace accident?

In New Jersey, your employer generally has the right to direct your medical care through an authorized treating physician when it comes to workers’ compensation. However, you always have the right to seek emergency treatment on your own, and you can request a second opinion in certain situations. If you believe the authorized doctor is not giving you proper care or is minimizing your injuries, an attorney can help you challenge that and protect your right to appropriate treatment.

What happens if my workplace accident was partly my own fault?

Workers’ compensation in New Jersey is a no-fault system, which means your own partial fault does not disqualify you from receiving benefits. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent. As long as your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment, you are generally entitled to medical treatment and wage replacement benefits. If you are also pursuing a third-party personal injury claim, New Jersey’s comparative negligence rules may reduce your recovery based on your share of fault, but they do not eliminate it entirely.