You protect us. When duty calls, who protects you?
Petro Cohen, P.C., has been protecting injured workers since 1998, and we know how to obtain the benefits you need to recover from a workplace injury. Let us protect you.
Key Benefits of Workers’ Compensation for First Responders
First responders are the people who run toward danger when others are trying to get away. In New Jersey, this group generally includes police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who respond to protect life and property.
Workers’ compensation can cover a range of benefits, including:
- Medical treatment: typically directed and authorized by your employer or its insurance carrier
- Temporary disability benefits: to replace lost wages while you are unable to work
- Permanent disability benefits: if your injury results in lasting impairment
- Death benefits: for surviving dependents in fatal cases
New Jersey Laws That Protect First Responders
Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act: supports the critical needs of public safety workers who are the first line of defense in the event of catastrophic emergencies, epidemics, and terrorist attacks.
Contraction of COVID-19 by essential workers (N.J.S.A. 34:15-31.12): for essential workers who contracted COVID-19 while working in their place of employment.
Myths Surrounding Workers’ Compensation
Myth #1: You can only claim workers’ compensation if the injury was your employer’s fault.
Workers’ compensation works entirely differently than a personal injury lawsuit. An employer must pay compensation to workers who were injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault. It might have been the employer, another worker at that company, a worker from another company, or even the injured worker himself. Negligence on the part of the employer is in no way a condition for compensation.
Myth #2: Filing a workers’ compensation claim means you’re suing your employer.
Many employees fear that filing a claim will be viewed as confrontational toward their employer. However, workers’ compensation operates through an insurance system, not the civil court. In New Jersey, employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide coverage for workplace injuries.
Unlike personal injury lawsuits, these claims do not seek damages like pain and suffering. Instead, they cover reasonable medical treatment, temporary disability benefits in place of lost wages, and benefits for permanent disability, when documented.
Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for filing a claim. If an employer takes any adverse action against an employee in response to a claim, the employee may have grounds for a separate retaliation lawsuit.
Myth #3: A minor workplace injury isn’t worth reporting or calling an attorney about.
No injury is too small to report. Always report any workplace injury to your employer and understand your rights early. Speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney helps you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and protect yourself if symptoms worsen. Building a relationship with an attorney is never pointless, and consultations are always free.
Myth #4: You have unlimited time to file a workers’ compensation claim.
New Jersey law requires employees to report a workplace injury to their employer within 90 days. However, it is always advisable to report a work-related injury as soon as it occurs, or as soon as there is reasonable suspicion that the injury is related to work.
Additionally, injured workers generally have two years from the date of injury (or the date they became aware of a work-related injury or illness) to formally file a workers’ compensation claim.
Legal Services We Provide
Navigating the workers’ compensation system can be complex and stressful, especially when you are recovering from an injury.
As experienced workers’ compensation attorneys, we provide:
- Timely and complete filing of required documents with your employer, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation, the court, and others
- Assistance in obtaining authorization for medical treatment
- Assistance with the Independent Medical Exam (IME) process
- Direct communication with your employer and workers’ compensation insurance company
- Obtaining all necessary medical bills and records
- Conducting necessary legal and factual research specific to your case
- Representation at all hearings before the Department of Labor
- Handling of any necessary appeals
Do Not Take Chances With Your Right to Care and Support After an Injury
Contact our firm for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can help you navigate the workers’ compensation process. Call 609.677.1700.
