Preexisting Conditions: They’re Almost Universal One of the most common questions that arises with regard to work-related injury claims is whether a claim is barred because the injured worker has some sort of pre-existing condition. At the outset, it should be noted that, if every claim was barred where...
The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act provides medical and indemnity benefits to individuals who suffer work-related injuries. Since workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, it covers many injuries that would not be compensated if they did not occur on the job. So, how do you determine if your injury...
Some anthropologists believe that the structure of the human hand (including the wrist) is one of the keys to our species’ amazing success on planet Earth. While other primates possess opposable thumbs, only human beings can bring our thumb all the way across our hand to our little finger....
Motorcycle ridership in the United States is at an all-time high, especially among older riders. Unfortunately, fatalities among riders age 50 or older are also on the rise. This month’s newsletter offers safety tips for bike riders and drivers, as well as some important guidance on proper insurance coverage to...
You often hear about workers’ compensation injuries in conjunction with accident injuries, such as falls, cuts, back injuries, or cumulative-trauma injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. But what about psychological injuries? Do workers’ compensation benefits cover these cases? What Is a Psychological Injury? Psychological injuries can manifest with a range...
According to a recent report published by the Pew Research Center, there are more than 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States. While significant numbers are children who are not employed, unauthorized adults make up more than 5% of the U.S. labor force – more than 8% of...
The legalization of marijuana has caused great controversy across the country, particularly in regard to driving while impaired. According to a national roadside survey, the number of drivers with marijuana in their systems grew nearly 50 percent from 2007 to 2014. How is this affecting our roadways? Click here...
WEAR and TEAR Injuries: Mostly a Modern Phenomenon One hundred years ago, when workers’ compensation acts were first being passed in Trenton and other state capitals, the American workplace was significantly different than it is today. Men then vastly outnumbered women in the public workforce – most women worked...
More and more New Jersey residents are cycling. It is great exercise, provides an efficient method of burning calories, and, particularly in urban settings, can be a great way to get to work. Unfortunately, cyclists can’t win for losing. That is to say – many are caught in a...
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its preliminary data on workplace fatalities in 2014. In total, the BLS’s data show that 4,679 individuals died on the job last year – nearly 100 more than in 2013. Causes of death ranged from vehicle accidents to slips and...