N.J. Workers’ Compensation Act Provides Injured Employees with Three Types of Benefits
The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act offers three primary categories of benefits that are designed to help those who are injured on the job or who become ill as a result of their line of work. If you are injured as a result of your employment, you are entitled to compensation through the workers’ compensation insurance that your employer paid expensive premiums to obtain. An experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney at Pezzano Law Group is standing by to help ensure that you are fully compensated for your loss.
Medical Benefits
You are entitled to receive 100% payment of all medical expenses for treatment rendered by a physician authorized through workers’ compensation. Health insurance carriers will typically deny medical treatment for injuries which are clearly related to a work accident.
Generally, employees are required to seek medical care from those doctors who are authorized by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. There are, however, some exceptions to this requirement, such as when emergent medical care is required or if the injured worker is seeking a second opinion outside of the workers’ compensation system.
The workers’ compensation insurance carrier will only cover those medical costs that are directly related to the injury or illness sustained at work. Pre-existing medical conditions often form the basis for the denial of coverage. Due to such complications, it is important to have skilled legal counsel backing you up to ensure that you receive the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If your work-related injury keeps you off the job temporarily, you are entitled to be paid temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. TTD benefits are only payable after you are out of work for seven days. After the seventh day, benefits are payable for the first day you were out of work.
TTD is paid at the rate of 70 percent of your weekly earnings, up to the statewide average weekly wage in the year of the average. The maximum amount of TTD benefits payable in any one claim is 400 weeks (approximately 7.5 weeks).
You are entitled to receive TTD for the time that the authorized workers’ compensation physician indicates you are unable to return to work IF further medical treatment is necessary. Once you have reached maximum medical improvement from care, TTD benefits will cease.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If your work-related injury leads to a permanent disability, which restricts the function of a particular part of your body, you may also be entitled to receive an award for permanent disability benefits, which break down into the following two categories:
- Partial permanent disability applies if your injury or condition creates permanent restrictions in your daily life, but does not prevent you from working altogether.
- Total permanent disability applies if your injury or condition is so serious that it stops you from returning to work in any capacity. Prime examples include paralysis and blindness.
Reach Out to an Experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
The compassionate New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys at Pezzano Law Group are committed to fiercely advocating for the full range of benefits to which you are entitled. We have earned a solid reputation for success in this legal arena, and we welcome the opportunity to help you. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 908-454-0200 today.
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