Del Vento Law Protects New Jersey Workers When It Counts
Workers across the state are getting down to business, from workers on construction sites who spend their days with heavy machinery to teachers who chase children across playgrounds. If you are working hard to make New Jersey a better state to live in, New Jersey should be working to make your workplace a safer place, too. This is at the heart of workers’ compensation laws.
Since our founding in the 70’s, we have focused on providing injured parties with strong representation and a team that they can rely upon. We believe that our most important job is fighting for you. For a free consultation, call our office in Livingston today: 973-869-5325.
Workers’ Compensation: What To Know
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance available to injured workers. It offers financial and medical benefits to people who suffer injuries or illnesses from their job duties. It can also provide vocational training if your injury prevents you from returning to your job duties.
If you have been injured on the job, it’s crucial not to delay seeking legal advice. Without proper legal guidance, you may face challenges in obtaining full compensation. Immediate action can ensure that you file your claim within the deadlines and preserve vital evidence for your case. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can guide you through the complex claims process, advocate on your behalf and help secure the benefits you deserve.
Common Workplace Injuries And The Importance Of Legal Assistance
Workplace injuries can vary widely but often include serious conditions that can impact your life and work ability. These injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Heart and lung injuries
- Joint injuries
- Burn injuries
- Other catastrophic injuries
The financial burden from medical bills and lost wages due to these injuries can be overwhelming. Many injured workers find themselves unable to return to work, which adds to their financial strain. A workers’ compensation lawyer is invaluable in these situations. We help you receive the compensation needed to cover your medical expenses, rehabilitative care and lost wages. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery.
Steps To Take After A Workplace Injury
Unfortunately, very few employee trainings go over what to do after an accident. Whether your injury is from a deep fryer accident at a fast-food establishment or a crash while driving a delivery van, the steps should all be the same:
First, get medical care. Before you worry about the law, make sure you get any emergency medical services you need.
Next, report the incident to your supervisor. Your report should be formal and include any relevant information about the event, who was involved, any witnesses and your medical care that followed.
Then, gather as much information as you can. This includes any video or photographic evidence, your medical reports, any doctor statements, a copy of the report to your employer and any other information you have.
What Are Some Potential Scenarios After A Work Accident?
Employees often face a complex web of challenges in the aftermath of work-related accident incidents, such as:
- Lost wages: The loss of income during recovery and, when disabilities are permanent, into the future
- Medical bills: Expenses for treatments, surgeries and hospital stays
- Loss of earning potential: Reduced ability to earn due to long-term disabilities caused by injury
- Rehabilitative treatment: Costs for physical or occupational therapy needed for recovery
- Vocational training: Expenses for training required to switch to a new job or career due to injury
- Prescription medications: Ongoing costs for medication needed for symptom management
- Emotional distress: Psychological impacts, like anxiety, depression or PTSD
- Family impact: A strain on family dynamics and finances due to the injured worker’s condition
We have seen firsthand how these situations can impact individuals and their families. Our experienced team is equipped to help you navigate these complex legal situations to ensure you receive the support and compensation you deserve for all the losses.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available?
Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to provide financial relief in work-related injury situations. Potential benefits may include:
- Medical benefits: Coverage for necessary medical treatments related to your injury
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits: Partial or full wage replacements while you are unable to work
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits: Entail compensation for a permanent impairment affecting your earning capacity
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits: Benefits if your injuries prevent you from ever working again
- Death benefits: Financial support for dependents in cases of work-related fatalities
- Vocational rehabilitation: Job training, career counseling and more when you are unable to return to your previous occupation
While it might be tempting to pursue a DIY approach, the intricacies of legal procedures, deadlines and negotiations often require more legal understanding – something our attorney can guide you on. Our commitment to you goes beyond just legal representation; we strive to provide clear communication, accessibility and unwavering support throughout your case to help secure the full range of benefits you are entitled to under New Jersey law.
Representing Workers Across All Fields And Industries
Workplace injuries can happen in any employment setting, which is why our workers’ compensation attorneys represent employees from all walks of life. We have experience seeking benefits on behalf of a wide range of workers, including:
Construction workers: Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces. The hazards are seemingly endless, and the risk of injury or death is very real. We help construction workers fight for the benefits they need and deserve.
Emergency responders: Police, firefighters and EMTs are on the front lines of public safety, but these jobs take a physical toll. Emergency responders frequently suffer lifting injuries, injuries related to auto accidents, burn injuries, gunshot wounds and more. Despite how dangerous these jobs are, seeking workers’ compensation benefits can be a difficult and frustrating experience without the help of an attorney.
Factory and warehouse workers: Individuals who work in factory and warehouse settings are susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries from lifting and bending, crushed/lost limbs from machine accidents, head injuries from falling objects, illnesses caused by chemical exposure and more.
Plumbers and others in skilled trades: If your job involves daily visits to different homes and businesses, your work environment is always changing and you can never be sure it’s safe. Skilled trades workers suffer a variety of injuries caused by unsafe premises, dog attacks, scalds from malfunctioning water heaters, burns from explosions, repetitive motion injuries and power tool accidents, to name just a few.
Health care workers: Taking care of others can be very taxing on the body. Nurses and other health care aids often suffer strains and sprains caused by lifting and moving patients, punctures and cuts from sharp medical equipment, falls on slippery hospital floors and even attacks from some patients. If you were hurt on the job as a health care worker, you deserve the same care and compassion you’ve shown to others.
The list above is far from complete. No matter how you earn a living, chances are good that you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after an on-the-job injury. Our attorneys can help you protect your rights and understand your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation In New Jersey
As a firm with more than 50 years of experience serving our New Jersey clients, here are some of the questions we frequently hear about workers’ compensation.
- What is workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides medical treatment, wage replacement and other benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to work-related activity. The vast majority of employees are covered under workers’ compensation.
- How does workers’ compensation work?
Workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system. With few exceptions, it does not matter how the accident or illness occurred, only that your condition is somehow work-related. You can seek treatment immediately, but you must notify your employer of your claim, usually within 14 days of injury or onset.
- What does workers’ compensation cover?
In New Jersey, workers’ compensation covers various aspects of an injury or illness sustained on the job. This includes medical expenses related to the treatment of the injury or illness, some wage replacement benefits if you are unable to work due to the injury, vocational rehabilitation services if necessary to help you return to work and compensation for permanent disabilities resulting from the injury. It may also provide death benefits to dependents if the injury proves fatal.
- How do I apply for workers’ compensation?
The process of applying for workers’ compensation in New Jersey involves reporting your injury or illness to your employer, completing the necessary claim forms provided by your employer and submitting them to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier for review and determination of benefits.
- What is the waiting period for workers’ comp in New Jersey?
After applying for workers’ compensation, there’s typically a waiting period of seven days after the day you are unable to return to work due to your injury or illness before you can start receiving temporary disability benefits, but benefits are retroactive to the first day.
Finally, Call A Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Workers’ compensation can cover lost wages, medical bills and more, but insurance companies are notorious for denying them or underpaying. Our firm’s roots go back over 50 years; we can help. For a free appointment, send us an email.