Disability Benefits to Replace Lost Wages | Payment for Reasonable Medical Care | Permanent Disability Benefits
When you have suffered an injury in the workplace in New Jersey, you have a right to seek benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation system. Your employer, or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider, must pay:
- Temporary disability benefits to cover wages lost because of your injury
- The costs of any reasonable medical treatment required because of your injury
- Benefits for any permanent disability, if applicable
Temporary Disability to Cover Lost Wages
If you sustain an injury on the job that prevents you from working for more than seven days, you may be entitled to receive temporary disability benefits to cover any wages not earned because of your injury. The amount of benefits for which you may be eligible is 70% of your average weekly wage (AWW) over the last 52 weeks, subject to a cap established by law (there is also a minimum amount that must be paid.) You are entitled to these benefits for any period during which you cannot work and are receiving medical care because of the work-related injury.
Medical Expenses Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation pays for all “necessary and reasonable” medical treatment, including prescriptions and hospital services, arising out of or related to the work injury. Your employer, however, will have the right to designate the medical provider for any work-related injury. You can always get a second opinion, however, and can petition the workers’ compensation board for payment of medical expenses denied by your employer or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If you can establish that an injury is permanent, whether it prevents you from any gainful employment or not, you may be entitled to benefits.
Contact Howard D. Popper, P.C.
At Howard D. Popper, P.C., we can help protect your rights. For a free initial consultation to discuss your options after a work-related injury, contact our office online or call 973-993-8787 to set up an appointment. We have offices in Morristown and Newton.
We handle all workers’ compensation claims on a contingent fee basis. You won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover damages for your losses.