Under New Jersey law, an employee or his or her dependents can receive workers’ compensation (WC) benefits for an injury or death that arises out of and in the course of employment. Employers or their workers’ compensation insurance carriers may pay for medical expenses, temporary disability benefits for wages lost as the worker recovers, and, when ascertained and properly documented, benefits for permanent disability.
When a worker returns to work, most WC benefits are terminated. This typically happens when a worker is said to have reached “maximum medical improvement,” a term that is used when additional treatment will no longer improve the medical condition of the injured worker AND they may return to work.
If you have been injured on the job, it is important to take a number of steps that can help protect your rights:
- Report the incident and injury right away to your supervisor. File an injury report and obtain a copy for your records.
- Get medical attention right away. This not only documents your injuries, but also helps put you on the road to recovery and may prevent your injury from worsening.
- Document all your expenses and medical appointments carefully.
- If someone witnessed the incident, make sure to get their contact information so they can help corroborate your account.
An experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer at Blume Forte can help explain your rights and options. If you have been injured on the job, contact our office for a consultation and an evaluation of your potential claim.