As a worker in New Jersey, you are entitled to a safe working environment, and when that does not happen, workplace injuries can occur. In fact, if you suffer an injury at work, you may end up with piles of medical bills and the inability to pay for them. Not only that, but you may also have to worry about taking time off from work because of your injury.
Workplace injuries can take a serious, long-lasting toll on your life. You should not have to face these challenges alone. The workers’ compensation attorneys at The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A., are standing by to help guide you through your options.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?
Workers’ compensation in New Jersey works as a no-fault insurance program, so this means that regardless of who was at fault, the workplace injuries should be covered. There are exceptions to the rule, and it is essential to ensure proper documentation is always available when looking at your legal options. Several benefits come with the workers’ compensation program, including:
- Temporary total benefits
- Permanent total benefits
- Permanent partial benefits
- Medical benefits
In cases where a death occurs, the surviving family is entitled to death benefits. Although this program is available to all workers who suffer a workplace injury, it does not always come easily.
Claim Petition in a Dispute
An employer or their insurance carrier may try to dispute your claim and not pay you the benefits you are entitled to after your workplace injury. If this happens, you can file a claim petition or an application for an informal hearing. These can be filed with the Division of Workers Compensation.
A claim can be in dispute due to whether or not the injury was, in fact, work-related, the type of medical treatment, and the potential for payment of temporary disability payments. Before your claim is ever denied, you should instead contact a workers compensation attorney to help you navigate the lengthy legal process.
Types of Workplace Injuries
Many kinds of workplace injuries can occur in any setting. It does not only include on a construction site or at a hazardous waste plant. For instance, some of the most common causes of workplace injuries include:
- Poor housekeeping
- Overexertion
- Being struck by an unsecured object
- Highway accidents
- Falls
- Repetitive motions
Many of these can happen even in workplace safety, which is why you should always adhere to proper protocol. If an accident does occur, report it to a supervisor and seek immediate medical care even if you do not think it is as severe. In fact, having documentation can go a long way if a case were to ensue.
OSHA Programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers a range of different services and programs so that employers can keep the workplace safe. Some of the keys are to ensure that a safety and health program has been established. They also offer compliance assistance specialists and no-cost on-site safety and health consultation services, and several others. This means that your employer has no excuse for unsafe conditions.
Contact a Workplace Injuries Attorney in New Jersey Today
If you have suffered workplace injuries in a workplace accident, you must seek legal representation immediately. Protect your rights and seek assistance when filing a claim. Call The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A., today at (973) 358-6134 to discuss your workplace injury.