When You are Hurt at Work in New Jersey

As in all states, when you suffer a workplace injury in New Jersey, you have a right to pursue benefits under the state’s workers’ compensation laws. You must notify your employer in a timely manner, and you must submit to a physical examination from a doctor chosen by your employer. If your claim is approved, though, you may be entitled to receive a broad range of benefits.

Compensation for Lost Income

If you are unable to return to your job within seven days of your injury, you have a right to receive what are known as “temporary total disability” benefits until you can return to work, subject to certain limitations. Under New Jersey law, the compensation for lost wages pursuant to a temporary total disability is approximately 70% of your average weekly wage for the last year, with minimum and maximum payouts under law.

You are entitled to receive payments for temporary total disability until:

• You are able to return to work, or
• Your doctor determines that you have reached “maximum medical improvement,” i.e., there is no treatment or care that will lead to a cure or complete return to health.

If your doctor finds that you cannot return to full health, you will be re-categorized as having either a permanent partial disability or a permanent total disability. If your doctor states that you can return to work in some limited capacity, you are considered to have a permanent partial disability, and are entitled to payment of benefits according to a schedule set forth in the New Jersey statutes. The schedule identifies the amount and length of payments based on the body organ—hands, arms, legs, feet, eyes, ears, etc.—that is disabled.

If you cannot return to work in any capacity, you will receive payments for a permanent total disability. These payments are also determined by the statutory schedule, and are typically for a minimum of 450 weeks. They may be extended, however, if you are still unable to work at the end to the designated period.

Contact Us

At Taylor & Boguski, we bring more than 70 years of combined legal experience to injured workers throughout New Jersey. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online or call us at 856-234-2233.