For employees who have never been injured on the job, workers’ compensation is a bit of a mystery. Knowing the basics of what it is and how it can help in the event of a work-related illness or injury is important for people in the work force.
Many years ago, the federal government passed laws to provide workers with certainty that they would receive compensation for medical treatment as well as lost wages if they were injured at work. Prior to workers’ compensation, employees had to file suit against their employers in order to be compensated for an injury.
Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment, wage replacement, and permanent disability compensation to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses, and death benefits to dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that employees can receive compensation regardless of who is at fault for the injury/accident. The law requires that all New Jersey employers, not covered by federal programs, have workers’ compensation coverage.
An injured employee could receive benefits regardless of who was at fault. In exchange for these benefits, the worker cannot bring a law suit against the employer for pain and suffering or other damages.
The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will consider the claim and determine if it’s compensable under the workers’ compensation law. They will contact the injured worker, the employer, and the medical provider to make this assessment. If the claim is accepted, they will direct the injured worker to an authorized medical provider for treatment. If time out of work extends beyond one week, they will also provide the injured worker temporary disability benefits during the period of rehabilitation.
Trying to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone can be overwhelming. The attorneys at Petro Cohen, P.C. can make workers’ compensation work for you. We believe in protecting the rights of injured workers. When you work with the team of workers’ compensation attorneys at Petro Cohen Law Frim, you can count on professionalism and a diligent effort to obtain the best possible result.
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