Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Medford, NJ: Fast, Fair Payouts
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Working And Living In Medford
Medford, NJ, is a vibrant community supported by well-known employers such as Lockheed Martin, Lowthers Contracting, and Target. However, workplace accidents still occur and cause employees to suffer terrible injuries. When faced with a workplace injury, it is crucial to understand your rights and options. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Medford can help you navigate the complex legal process of filing your claim and representing you to obtain fair compensation.
Workers Compensation Defined
Workers’ compensation law is a system designed to provide financial assistance and medical benefits to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses during the course of their employment. Employers are required by law to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. Additionally, workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault system, which means injured workers are not required to prove fault to receive compensation for their workplace injury.
What a Medford Workers Comp Attorney Does For You
Stan Gregory is a workers’ compensation lawyer serving Medford, NJ, here to help you file a workers’ compensation claim and protect your benefits. We have over 20 years of experience representing injured workers and helping them obtain fair compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to workplace injuries. We work on contingency, so you’ll have no out-of-pocket costs.
Your employer’s insurance company makes money when they deny your workers’ compensation claim. This conflict of interest results in many denied but legitimate claims. Stan Gregory can help you fight denied workers’ comp claims and protect the benefits you deserve.
If a workplace accident in Medford results in an injury and you want to file a workers’ compensation claim, schedule a free case evaluation with Stan Gregory by calling 609-281-5100.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured at Work?
Workers compensation is a “no-fault” system. The NJ state legislature put this system in place to help injured workers get paid, avoid clogged courts, and preserve employer-employee relationships. A “no-fault” system means you don’t have to sue your employer and prove that they’re responsible for your injury to get benefits.
The workers’ compensation process for an injured worker includes three critical steps:
- Reporting the workplace injury
- Visiting a doctor
- Filing a workers’ comp claim
Many states have short deadlines for when you can send your report and still receive workers’ compensation benefits. It’s important to report your injury to your supervisor immediately following your accident. By reporting the injury right away, you’re protecting your benefits if symptoms don’t arise until weeks or months later.
After you send a report to your supervisor, you’ll need to visit a doctor. The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) allows federal workers to see a doctor of their choosing. If you’re not protected under FECA, you’ll need to visit a doctor paid for by your employer.
Your doctor will write a report regarding your injuries and the medical care you will need for recovery. This report will help determine what benefits you will receive as part of workers’ compensation. After 30 days, you can visit a doctor of your choosing and have them write a complimentary report.
You will then need to file a claim to receive your workers’ compensation. Stan Gregory is an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Medford and can help you file your claim.
Get Medical Attention
Injured employees sometimes make the mistake of ignoring injuries or delaying medical treatment. If you sustain a workplace injury, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Prompt medical care ensures your well-being and establishes a documented record of your injuries.
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Submit A Report Of Your Injuries
To initiate your workers compensation claim, it is vital to promptly report your injuries to your employer. Unless your employer has actual knowledge of your injuries, you must place them on notice within 14 days of your injury according to New Jersey law. If you fail to report your injuries, you may be barred from pursuing a workers compensation claim.
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Review The Status Of Your Claim
Understanding the status of your workers’ compensation claim is essential as you may need to submit additional evidence and undergo employer-required medical exams. Our New Jersey legal team will provide regular updates and answer any questions you have regarding your workers compensation claim. We will navigate the administrative procedures and communicate with insurance companies to ensure your claim progresses smoothly.
Available Workers Comp Benefits
Lost Wages
Workers compensation can help cover your missed paychecks while you’re out of work due to a workplace injury. You’ll receive lost wages weekly from the time of the accident to when you return to work. This type of workers comp calculates at 70% of your average weekly earnings and, it will not exceed 75% of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) or fall below the minimum rate of 20% of the SAWW.
Medical Expenses
Common medical expenses covered by workers compensation for workplace injuries include:
- hospitalization
- procedures
- therapies
- prescription drugs
Therapies such as physical therapy and chiropractic treatments limit you to a specific number of sessions. To get additional therapy sessions covered by workers comp your doctor will need to make a report stating your recovery requires additional sessions.
You will receive this type of workers compensation immediately and continually until you complete rehabilitation.
Temporary Disability Benefits
Before the introduction of workers’ compensation insurance, injured employees had few options for economic support beyond charity or their families. If your workplace injury prevents you from working, you can claim Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. As experienced Medford workers compensation lawyers, we ensure injured workers receive financial support equivalent to 70% of their pre-injury salary, helping you manage critical expenses during recovery.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Injured Medford workers with severe work-related injuries may be entitled to a permanency award for permanent partial disability benefits based on their being partially or totally disabled. To obtain a permanency award, New Jersey law requires you to prove you cannot work due to injury. Your level of disability and the portion of your body that was injured determines the value of a permanency award.
Death Benefits
If you are a dependent of a deceased worker, you’re entitled to death benefits. This type of workers’ compensation includes a lump sum as well as $3,500 for funeral expenses. Workers compensation laws in NJ are broad when it comes to “dependents.” Medford workers compensation lawyers can help determine eligibility for these crucial death benefits.
Social Security Disability Benefits
In certain circumstances, injured workers may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits and workers’ compensation. However, your social security benefits will be reduced if the combined amount of the benefits you receive exceeds 80% of your pre-injury salary. Depending on the facts of your case and injury, our knowledgeable attorneys may be able to reduce this offset.
Public Employee Disability Pension
Public employees may be entitled to disability pensions. These pensions provide financial support to public sector workers who suffer from work-related disabilities. As New Jersey disfavors “double dipping” for the same injury, your workers compensation benefits will likely be reduced.
Accidents Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Workers compensation most commonly covers one-time accidents with injuries such as impairment to an arm or leg. However, workers comp covers many other accidents. Two major categories of covered accidents include illnesses and repetitive injuries.
Muscular Injuries
Many workers’ compensation claims arise due to employees engaging in repetitive activities, being struck by heavy objects, or suffering falls, all of which can cause muscular injuries. Muscular injuries, such as strains, sprains, and tears, can significantly impact your ability to work. Our Medford workers’ compensation lawyers will ensure you obtain fair compensation and receive proper medical treatment for your work-related injury.
Traumatic Injuries
Workplace accidents involving machines and motor vehicles can cause fractures, head injuries, or spinal cord damage. These traumatic injuries can be life-altering and require extensive medical treatment. Our Medford workers’ compensation attorneys will guide you through the process, advocating for your legal rights and working tirelessly to secure the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
Occupational Illnesses
Work-related illnesses can develop over time due to exposure to hazardous substances or unsafe working conditions. Under New Jersey law, an occupational illness is considered a compensable claim. If you have been diagnosed with an occupational illness, our experienced legal team will help you navigate the complex workers compensation system to ensure you receive the medical treatment and financial support you need to manage your illness.
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions resulting from workplace stress or trauma are compensable injuries under New Jersey law. Stated simply, a mental health condition can be just as disabling as a physical injury. If you are suffering from a work-related mental health condition, our compassionate Medford personal injury attorneys will fight for the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Repetitive Injuries
Repetitive injuries are not caused by one accident but by repeating the same task for a period of time, resulting in an injury. Common injuries that workers compensation covers in Medford, NJ include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back pain.
For more information on the accidents that workers compensation covers, call Stan Gregory, workers compensation attorney in Medford, today.
What Happens When Workers Comp Benefits End?
For the most part, workers compensation benefits are not infinite. Depending on the extent of your injury, there will likely come a point when you exhaust your benefits. Alternatively, your employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier may attempt to terminate or modify your benefits. Our knowledgeable workers compensation attorneys will fight to protect your rights.
Benefits That Are Terminated
In some cases, workers compensation benefits may be terminated. Specifically, your employer’s insurance carrier can move to terminate your benefits if you intentionally fail to attend a medical examination or ignore medical advice. Additionally, your benefits can be terminated if you reach maximum medical improvement.
Benefits That Are Modified
In certain circumstances, workers compensation benefits may be modified, i.e., reduced. Specifically, your benefits can be modified if you refuse to undergo additional medical treatment. Under New Jersey law, your employer can use this as a basis to change your benefits if they can prove your refusal is prejudicing them.
Know the Signs of a Petition for Modification
Understanding the signs of a petition for modification is crucial. Your employer may be considering a modification if they ask you to undergo additional medical treatment or ask you to attend a medical examination. If you suspect your employer or the insurance company is seeking to modify your benefits, our skilled Medford workers’ comp attorneys will fight to protect your rights and benefits.
Benefits That Are Suspended
In certain situations, workers compensation benefits may be suspended. Typically, a workers compensation insurance carrier will move to suspend benefits if they have evidence of fraud. If you find yourself in this challenging position, our experienced legal team will assist you in challenging the suspension.
How To Challenge Benefits Suspension
Challenging the suspension of your workers’ compensation benefits requires careful preparation and legal expertise. Our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys in Medford will guide you through the process, gathering the necessary evidence to disprove allegations of fraud. We will fight to reinstate your benefits and ensure your rights are protected.
When Workers Compensation Is Reinstated
If your workers compensation benefits were terminated due to exhaustion or your case settling, you may be able to reopen your workers compensation case. To reopen your claim, you must present evidence showing your injury has worsened. You only have two years from the date of the last payment of your benefits to file a petition to reopen.
Contact Stan Gregory For Your Medford Workers Comp Needs Today
When facing a work injury in New Jersey, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to pursue a workers’ compensation claim in Medford. Our law offices have years of experience and a deep understanding of workers’ compensation laws; our law firm is dedicated to advocating for your rights and securing the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Workers Comp FAQs
Does Workers’ Comp Have a Limit?
Yes, workers’ compensation does have limits. While your medical expenses and lost wages should payout in full, there are some restrictions in receiving benefits. For example, if you receive temporary total disability benefits, after 400 weeks, you can no longer collect. Therapy sessions are also limited to a certain number.
What happens when my claim is only partially paid?
Our experienced Medford workers’ compensation attorney, Stan Gregory, can help you get the benefits you deserve. Call us today at 609-281-5100.
What Happens if My Employer Does Not Have Workers’ Comp Insurance?
If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance and you suffer a workplace injury, you will need to file a personal injury claim. If you fall ill or experience a work-related injury without proper insurance coverage, Stan Gregory has experience with personal injury claims in Medford and can help you with alternative legal options.
Can I Get Both Disability and Workers’ Comp?
Yes, you can receive disability and workers’ comp. If you have a disability that is preventing you from working in any job, that injury entitles you to social security disability. If a workplace caused this disability, it also entitles you to workers’ compensation in the state of New Jersey.
How Long Before I Get My Worker's Comp Payment?
People often make the mistake of assuming they will immediately begin receiving their workers’ comp payments. Under New Jersey law, you will receive payments seven days after your claim is accepted. Our Medford workers’ compensation lawyers will fight to ensure there are no delays for your payments.
What If My Employer Won't File My Claim?
New Jersey law requires employers to report workers’ compensation claims within 21 days of receiving notice. If an employer refuses, they can be financially penalized. If your employer refuses to file your workers’ compensation claim, our experienced legal team will fight to ensure your claim is filed promptly and accurately.
Is There A Statute of Limitations for Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
Yes, there is a statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim. You must file your claim within two years. Our dedicated injury attorneys will ensure your claim is filed within the designated time frame preventing any potential loss of fair compensation.
Find a Workers Compensation Lawyer in Medford with Stan Gregory
Insurance companies only earn money for their shareholders when they deny, delay, or underpay your workers’ compensation claim. While you don’t need a Medford workers’ compensation lawyer to receive benefits by law, Stan Gregory has the expertise to fight back against workers’ comp claim denials and delays.
If you want to protect your workers’ compensation benefits, call Stan Gregory, Medford workers’ compensation lawyer, at 609-281-5100. Don’t let your workers’ compensation benefits get taken away from you.