Workers' Compensation
Helping injured New Jersey workers secure the medical benefits and wage replacement they are entitled to by law.
A workplace injury can turn your life upside down — physically, financially, and emotionally. New Jersey's workers' compensation system exists to provide benefits to injured workers regardless of fault, but navigating the claims process can be complicated, especially when employers or their insurance carriers dispute or delay a claim. At Lenar Law Offices, LLC, we help injured workers understand their rights and fight for the full benefits they are entitled to under New Jersey law.
New Jersey law requires virtually all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance. If you are injured on the job — or develop an illness caused by your work — you are generally entitled to benefits without having to prove that anyone was negligent. Time is critical: work-related injuries must be reported to your employer promptly, and claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury or the date your last benefit payment was made.
"Injured workers should not have to fight alone. We are here to make sure the system works for you — not against you."
Medical Benefits
Workers' compensation in New Jersey covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any medical equipment you need. Your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to direct your medical care through their authorized treating physicians, but if treatment is denied or unreasonably delayed, there are legal avenues to compel proper care.
Temporary Disability Benefits
If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you may be entitled to temporary total disability (TTD) benefits equal to 70% of your average weekly wage, subject to a maximum set by New Jersey law each year. These benefits continue while you are unable to work and undergoing authorized treatment, up to a statutory maximum period.
Permanent Disability Benefits
If your injury results in a lasting impairment, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. New Jersey distinguishes between partial and total permanent disability:
- Permanent partial disability — compensates for permanent loss of use or function of a body part or system, calculated based on a percentage of disability
- Permanent total disability — available where the injury leaves you unable to engage in any gainful employment
- Scheduled vs. non-scheduled disabilities — different body parts are valued differently under NJ law, and proper classification can significantly affect your award
Dependency Benefits
If a worker is killed on the job, their surviving spouse and dependent children may be entitled to weekly dependency benefits, as well as reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses up to the statutory maximum.
When Claims Are Disputed
Employers and their insurance carriers sometimes deny claims, dispute the extent of an injury, or terminate benefits prematurely. If your claim is contested, the matter is heard before the New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation. We represent injured workers throughout this process — gathering medical evidence, presenting your case before a Judge of Compensation, and advocating for a fair resolution through settlement or formal hearing.
Third-Party Claims
In some cases, a workplace injury is caused by someone other than your employer — such as a defective piece of equipment, a negligent contractor, or a driver who caused a vehicle accident in the course of your work. In those situations, you may have the right to bring a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers' compensation claim, potentially recovering damages not available through the comp system, including pain and suffering.
Workers' Compensation FAQ
Report your injury to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible — ideally in writing. Seek medical attention right away. Your employer is required to provide a list of authorized treating physicians; use one of those providers to ensure your treatment is covered. Keep records of all medical visits, diagnoses, and any correspondence with your employer or their insurance carrier, and contact an attorney before signing any documents or accepting any settlement.
New Jersey law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing a workers' compensation claim or for testifying in a workers' compensation proceeding. If you believe you have been discharged or otherwise penalized because of your claim, you may have a separate legal claim for retaliatory discharge. Contact an attorney promptly if you believe this has occurred.
Whether you are truly an independent contractor or a misclassified employee is a legal question, not simply whatever label your employer assigns you. New Jersey applies specific tests to determine employment status for workers' compensation purposes. Many workers labeled as contractors are actually entitled to workers' compensation benefits. If your employer is disputing coverage on this basis, you should speak with an attorney.
The duration of benefits depends on the nature and extent of your injury. Temporary disability benefits continue while you are unable to work and receiving authorized treatment, up to a maximum period under state law. Permanent disability benefits are determined based on the percentage of permanent impairment and may be paid out over a set number of weeks. Permanent total disability benefits may continue indefinitely in the most serious cases.
In New Jersey, your employer or their insurance carrier generally has the right to direct your medical care through authorized treating physicians. However, you have the right to seek an independent medical examination at your own expense, and if authorized treatment is inadequate or being unreasonably withheld, there are legal remedies available. You should not treat with an unauthorized provider and expect those bills to be covered without prior approval.
Injured at Work?
Contact Lenar Law Offices
A work injury is serious enough without having to navigate the claims process alone. We will review your situation, explain your rights, and help you pursue every benefit available under New Jersey law — with no pressure and no jargon.