If you have been injured on the job, you may be uncertain about how you go about getting compensation for your losses – for the income you cannot earn while hurt, for any medical expenses not covered by insurance, for the pain and suffering you experience every day, for the enjoyment of life that is now gone. Pennsylvania and New Jersey both have workers’ compensation laws that govern recovery for certain injuries suffered in the workplace. This blog post provides an overview of how the workers’ compensation system functions. If you have sustained an injury on the job, you want to hire an experienced lawyer to protect your interests.
At the Law Offices of Mallon & Tranger, we offer full-service counsel to people who have been hurt at work. To schedule a private meeting, contact us online or call us at 732-702-0333. Your first consultation is free.
THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SYSTEM
Every state, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, has set up a workers’ compensation system to manage the financial impact of injuries sustained in the workplace. The legislatures recognize that workplace injuries are a frequent occurrence but fear that allowing employees to bring unlimited legal actions in court would be devastating to most businesses. In exchange for limiting an employer’s liability under the law, the workers’ compensation statutes require that employers either purchase workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured, paying claims directly.
The workers’ compensation laws govern cases involving injuries that are due to the negligence or wrongdoing of an employer or co-employee. If you have suffered this type of injury, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. The workers’ compensation system establishes fixed payment amounts based on the type of injury. For example, there is a fixed rate paid for a broken arm or leg, for torn ligaments, for the loss of an eye or a body part, and even for a death in the workplace. Your initial application for workers’ compensation benefits goes to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. If your claim is denied, you can appeal through the state workers’ compensation system.
When you are injured on the job, you must notify your employer of your injury within a certain period of time. Your employer may require you to seek treatment from a doctor of his or her choosing, but you will also have the opportunity to seek care from your own physician. The benefits available through workers’ compensation are designed to cover lost wages, medical expenses and job retraining, if necessary.
CONTACT MALLON & TRANGER
We offer a free initial consultation to people in New Jersey who have suffered a personal injury at work. To set up a meeting, contact us online or call us at 732-702-0333 for an appointment. We have offices in Freehold and Point Pleasant.