If you are hurt because of your job, your life can be turned upside down very quickly. Workers’ compensation is supposed to help, but the rules are complicated, and dealing with the insurance company while you are injured is difficult. While you focus on recovering, our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Matarazzo & Lubcher can guide you through your claim and offer a full range of workers’ compensation services for Paterson, NJ residents.
Eligibility
You are covered by workers’ compensation when your injury arises out of and in the course of your job. Your employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for you. The workers’ compensation system is designed to balance your right to compensation with your employer’s responsibilities.
An Expedited Process
Workers’ compensation represents an expedited process of addressing injury claims. However, you give up the right to sue your employer for more comprehensive compensation based on negligence. While employers bear the cost of providing employees with workers’ comp coverage, they avoid lengthy, expensive personal injury lawsuits.
A No-Fault System
Negligence doesn’t play a role in workers’ compensation, which is a no-fault system. Your employer is required to cover you, and if you suffer a work-related injury or illness, you can seek compensation for your covered losses. You do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong, and even if you made a mistake, you can still be covered as long as the injury is work-related.
Benefits
Workers’ compensation in New Jersey provides medical care, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent injury.
Medical Benefits
To begin, all the medical care necessary to treat your work-related injury or illness is covered. This includes all the following:
- Doctor visits and care
- Hospital stays
- Medical equipment
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Prescription medications
You’ll likely be required to see a doctor selected by your employer or their insurance provider.
Temporary Disability Benefits
If your injury or illness leaves you unable to work for more than seven days, temporary disability benefits that are retroactive to the first day kick in. These benefits are paid as a specified percentage of your gross weekly wages, up to a maximum set by the state. Temporary disability benefits end once you return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
Permanent Partial Disability and Permanent Total Disability Benefits
Permanent partial disability benefits compensate you for lasting physical damage after you have healed as much as you are going to heal, even if you return to the same job at the same pay. The amount you receive will be based on the assigned percentage of disability. Permanent total disability benefits, on the other hand, apply if you’re not able to work at all, and they are calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage.
Workers’ compensation benefits can be complicated, with strict rules, deadlines, and medical and legal issues that often overlap. That is why you need a law firm with a team devoted solely to workers’ injury cases, so you have experienced advocates focused solely on protecting your rights and securing the benefits you deserve.
Turn to an Experienced Paterson Workers’ Compensation Attorney for the Help You Need
The seasoned Paterson workers’ compensation lawyers at Matarazzo & Lubcher, proudly serving all of Passaic County, dedicate our practice to skillfully advocating for our valued clients’ rights and rightful compensation. Learn more by contacting us online today.