Burlington County Workers Compensation

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation is a system of insurance created by the State of New Jersey that provides benefits to employees that are injured on the job or who develop a job-related illness. Benefits are paid regardless of fault. In exchange, an injured worker cannot sue their employer for their injuries, unless the action leading to the injury was intentional. Benefits available under Workers’ Compensation insurance are as follows:

 

1. Medical Benefits – Payments to doctors and other healthcare providers that treat injured workers.
2. Temporary Disability Benefits – Payment for lost wages during the time the worker is disabled due to a work-related injury or illness.
3. Permanent Disability Benefits – These benefits are payable when a work-related injury or illness causes a disability that will not resolve over time. These benefits are available for both partial and total disabilities.
4. Death Benefits – Provides payments to the spouses and dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment. This includes up to $3,500 in funeral expenses for a job-related death.

Disability and death benefits are limited to 70% of a worker’s wages, subject to a maximum which is set and adjusted weekly by the New Jersey Department of Labor.

The employer and/or their Workers Compensation insurance carrier can select physicians and other medical providers to treat injured workers for work related injuries. The cost of treatment with doctors that are not authorized by your employer may not be reimbursable.

What to do if you’ve been injured on-the-job

You should notify your employer as soon as possible.   The notice may be given to your supervisor, personnel office, or anyone in authority at your place of business.  The notice does not have to be in writing. If you need medical treatment, a request should be made to your employer as soon as possible. If you are referred to a physician or other healthcare provider by your employer, you should attend all scheduled appointments.

What the Costello Law Firm Can Do For You

Like any other insurance company, Workers’ Compensation insurance companies look to pay only the minimum they believe they are required to and, as a result, may do things that are favorable to their bottom line but aren’t in the best interests of the worker who has been injured on the job. For example, the insurer may send an employee back to work before he or she is ready, deny beneficial medical treatment, or otherwise deny payment of benefits to which an injured worker is entitled.

If you believe your claim has been handled improperly, there are legal remedies available. The Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at the Costello Law Firm will investigate your claim, have you evaluated by top quality physicians, and take whatever steps are necessary to get you the benefits to which you are entitled, up to and including filing an action in Workers’ Compensation Court.

If you have been injured during the course of your job or contracted an illness related to your employment and believe that your claim has been handled improperly by your employer and/or their Workers’ Compensation insurance company, call the Costello Law Firm for a free consultation.