Workplace Injuries and Accidents in New Jersey

You are Legally Entitled to Compensation for Most Workplace Injuries

In most cases, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation payments to cover the cost of medical bills and lost wages associated with your accident and injury. It is essential to report even minor injuries to your employer as soon as they occur and to seek medical treatment for these injuries right away. This can prevent situations in which your employer denies your claim because they do not believe that your accident took place during your regular work duties.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance is Required by Law

In the states of New York and New Jersey, employers are required by law to maintain workers’ compensation insurance policies for their employees. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development are primarily responsible for enforcing these requirements and for assisting you if your employer does not report your claim to their insurance company in a timely way.

Types of Workplace Accidents

Injuries on the job may be the result of unsafe working conditions or hazardous materials that are present in your workplace. Some of the most common types of workplace injuries and accidents include the following:

• • Exposure to hazardous or toxic materials: prolonged exposure to certain chemicals and materials can lead to the development of respiratory ailments and certain cancers.
  • Slip-and-fall accidents: spilled water, icy steps and other hazards can result in slip-and-fall injuries for employees.
  • Construction site accidents: falls from significant heights and injuries caused by misuse of heavy equipment can cause serious injuries that can result in long recovery periods for employees.
  • Repetitive stress injuries: carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the known repetitive stress injuries and is usually the result of prolonged keyboarding by computer operators. Any repetitive physical task, however, can result in repetitive stress injuries for workers.
  • Hearing loss: workers who must perform their duties in noisy areas without adequate hearing protection can experience hearing loss that can reduce their ability to perform their jobs effectively.
  • Vehicle collisions and crashes: injuries sustained while driving a vehicle on behalf of an employer are usually covered by workers’ compensation.

In most cases, you will need to demonstrate that your injuries were sustained during the regular performance of your job duties. Your claim may be denied if you do not report the injury promptly, if you do not cooperate with the workers’ compensation insurer or if you had drugs or alcohol in your system at the time of the accident. If you were involved in an altercation on the job that caused your injuries, you may also be ineligible to receive workers’ compensation depending on who is deemed to be the aggressor in the fight. Retaining the services of a qualified New Jersey employment attorney can often help you to pursue your claim for workers’ compensation with your employer.

Protecting Your Ability to Receive Workers’ Compensation

You should see a physician as soon as possible after your accident to determine the extent of your injuries and to begin the recovery process. Additionally, you will need to contact your employer and to provide a report of the incident as soon as you can reasonably do so. This can help you to protect your right to pursue workers’ compensation and can reduce the chance of your claim being denied by your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company.

The Value of a Qualified New Jersey Employment Lawyer

Working with an attorney can help you to pursue your workers’ compensation claim after you have been injured or have sustained physical damage because of a workplace accident. Your employment lawyer will make sure that all aspects of your case are handled appropriately and will work with you throughout the process to help you manage the paperwork and documentation for your case. This can provide you with added confidence and peace of mind after suffering an injury accident in the workplace.

At the Di Lauri & Hewitt Law Group, we offer real support for our clients in obtaining workers’ compensation for injuries and illnesses caused by their jobs. Our team is committed to high standards of excellence in the legal profession. To schedule a consultation with us, give our office a call today at 973-832-0621. We look forward to the opportunity to represent you.