Serving South Jersey
Helping Workers Secure Workers' Compensation Benefits After a Workplace Accident
When a work injury or occupational illness sidelines you, medical bills pile up, paychecks stop, and the pressure to return to work too soon begins. New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system guarantees injured workers medical treatment and wage replacement, but navigating claims, appeals, and benefit denials can be overwhelming.
Whether you were injured on the job in a specific accident or developed a condition over time, understanding your legal options early can make all the difference.
133,726 work-related accidents were reported in New Jersey in 2023
The maximum weekly benefit for new Workers’ Comp claims rose to $1,099 for 2023
Over 50,000 workers’ comp claims are filed annually, spanning everything from minor injuries to permanent total disability
The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman represents South Jersey’s tradespeople, warehouse staff, healthcare workers, and more, ensuring you receive every benefit you are entitled to and, when third-party negligence is involved, pursuing additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
From our Vineland office, we fight for injured South Jersey residents across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, and Salem Counties.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman After a Workplace Accident
Many injured workers face delays, denied claims, and complex procedural hurdles when dealing with insurance companies. Having an experienced legal team familiar with South Jersey administrative courts can make all the difference in securing benefits and protecting your rights.
As leading New Jersey workers’ comp attorneys, we guide injured workers through every step, filing claims, negotiating with the insurance company, and appealing denials so that you can focus on recovery. At the same time, ensuring you receive the benefits the law provides.
Deep knowledge of NJ’s Workers’ Compensation Act. We guide you through medical reporting, benefit calculations, and appeals under N.J.S.A. 34:15‑1 et seq.
Local experience across South Jersey, including Burlington County, Camden County, and Atlantic City courts and administrative judges.
Experienced in complex and denied workers’ compensation claims. Whether it’s a permanent partial disability valuation or a temporary total disability fight, we challenge unfair denials by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Integrated third‑party recovery strategy. If a negligent contractor, driver, or equipment manufacturer is found to have contributed, we would pursue a third-party personal injury claim in conjunction with your workers’ compensation benefits.
Contingency‑fee representation. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Personal attention for every client. We prioritize clear communication throughout the legal process so you always understand your case status and next steps.
Our law firm coordinates directly with the workers’ compensation carrier on your behalf, handling negotiations and documentation so you don’t have to. While insurance adjusters often focus on minimizing payouts, we focus on protecting your benefits and ensuring nothing is left on the table under New Jersey law.
New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Laws
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development oversees the workers’ compensation system, administering benefits and ensuring employers carry workers’ compensation insurance and comply with statutory obligations. Strict deadlines, reporting requirements, and medical documentation rules can all affect whether your claim is approved or delayed.
Workers’ compensation in New Jersey is a specialized field with unique administrative courts, procedures, and judges handling claims. As experienced workers’ compensation lawyers, we use this framework to help injured workers understand their rights, evaluate their legal options, navigate administrative hearings, and secure the full compensation available under the law.
Statute / Rule | What It Means |
Workers’ Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 34:15‑1 et seq.) | No‑fault coverage of medical care and wage replacement for work‑related injuries/illnesses. |
Permanent Partial Disability (N.J.S.A. 34:15‑12.2) | Compensation for lasting impairment of a body part or function. |
Permanent Total Disability (N.J.S.A. 34:15‑12.1) | Benefits for total, permanent inability to return to any work. |
Third‑Party Lawsuits (N.J.S.A. 34:15‑8; Case law: Boyle v. Bock) | Right to sue negligent third parties, including drivers, manufacturers, and contractors, while receiving workers’ compensation. |
Statute of Limitations (N.J.S.A. 34:15‑51) | File a comp petition within 2 years of the last benefit payment or incident. |
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, many injured workers may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, which provide monthly payments when a serious workplace injury prevents long‑term employment.
Navigating SSDI requires detailed medical documentation and adherence to federal criteria. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will review your medical records, coordinate with medical experts, and guide you through both the SSDI application and your workers’ comp claim, ensuring you pursue every possible avenue of compensation under New Jersey law.
Common Workplace Injuries We Handle
These work accidents range from a sudden, specific accident to injuries caused by repetitive stress over time, including back injuries, herniated discs, and other conditions that develop gradually.
These injuries caused by workplace conditions can range from minor strains to serious conditions requiring long-term care.
Injury Type | Typical Cause | Why You Need an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer |
Musculoskeletal Strains | Repetitive motions, heavy lifting | Accurate work‑duty records ensure proper treatment and rehab benefits |
Slip & Fall Injuries | Wet floors, uneven surfaces | Documentation of hazards strengthens workers’ comp cases |
Crush & Amputation Injuries | Machinery malfunctions, falling objects | Critical to establish third-party liability for defective equipment |
Traumatic Brain Injuries | Falls, struck‑by incidents | Long‑term cognitive care costs require detailed medical records |
Occupational Disease | Chemical exposure, respiratory disease | Proving work‑related causation under NJ’s strict rules can be complex |
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Repetitive hand and wrist motions, prolonged computer use, or assembly-line work | These types of occupational disease cases can be harder to prove than a specific accident, requiring detailed medical evidence to connect repetitive stress to workplace duties |
New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available
Workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey provide medical care and wage replacement for injured workers, covering everything from essential medical expenses to wage replacement. In New Jersey, workers’ compensation benefits also apply to occupational disease cases, including conditions that develop over time rather than from a single incident.
Understanding these benefits helps you navigate your recovery and secure the compensation to which you are entitled under state law for your workplace injury. Below is an overview of the primary benefits for which you may qualify.
Medical Benefits
All reasonable and necessary medical treatment for your work-related injury or illness. This includes emergency room services, diagnostic testing (such as X-rays and MRIs), surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and follow-up doctor’s visits. Under NJ law, treatment is typically provided through an employer-authorized treating physician, specialist referrals, and even alternative therapies if prescribed, without any out-of-pocket cost.
Temporary Disability Benefits
These benefits apply when you are unable to work for more than seven days due to a work-related injury and are designed to replace lost wages during recovery.
Temporary Total Disability benefits provide 70% of the workers’ average weekly wage (subject to the statutory cap) while you are completely unable to work.
After a 7-day waiting period, you can receive benefits retroactively if your disability extends beyond 21 days and continues until you reach maximum medical improvement or return to light-duty work.
Temporary Partial Disability benefits offer 70% of the difference between your pre-injury wage and the reduced earning capacity when you return to work at restricted job duties or fewer hours. TPD benefits help bridge the gap while you regain strength, ensuring continued income during recovery.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Permanent Partial Disability benefits apply when you sustain a permanent loss of function in a body part, such as loss of a foot or impairment rating for a hand. NJ’s scheduled rating system assigns compensation values; you may also receive additional awards for functional loss that exceeds scheduled limitations and requires vocational rehabilitation support.
Permanent Total Disability benefits cover workers who are permanently unable to perform any gainful employment due to severe injuries or illnesses. PTD benefits provide ongoing income at the same rate as TTD, subject to the cap, plus potential cost-of-living adjustments, and depend on medical evidence of total impairment.
Death Benefits & Funeral Expenses
In fatal workplace accidents, NJ law pays for reasonable funeral and burial costs up to statutory limits. Additionally, surviving spouses, children, and other dependents receive weekly benefits, calculated as a percentage of the deceased’s average weekly wage, to replace lost income and cover household services that the worker would have provided.
Steps to Maximize Your Workers’ Comp Benefits
Report your work injury to your employer immediately after you are injured on the job and request an accident report documenting the incident. Your employer must notify their insurance carrier, which is required to file a First Report of Injury with the Division of Workers’ Compensation within three weeks.
Seek prompt medical attention from an authorized provider and follow all prescriptions and further medical treatment.
Document lost wages and any out‑of‑pocket expenses (transportation, prescriptions).
File a Workers’ Comp Petition if benefits are delayed or denied.
Contact a New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer before deadlines expire and to explore third-party personal injury cases.
These steps are not just procedural, they directly impact whether your claim is approved, delayed, or denied.
Delays in reporting work accidents can lead to disputes with insurance companies over whether the injury occurred at work, which is one of the most common reasons claims are challenged or denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 26‑week rule in NJ comp?
If you've received temporary disability for 26 weeks, your claim may be re-evaluated to determine whether you've reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This does not end your benefits, but it may signal a transition from temporary benefits to consideration of permanent disability benefits.
What are typical fees for a New Jersey workers' compensation lawyer?
NJ workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, and fees are generally capped at 20% of the total amount recovered, subject to court approval under New Jersey law.
Can I sue my employer for workplace injuries?
Workers’ compensation is considered an exclusive remedy in New Jersey, meaning you generally cannot sue your employer for workplace injuries. However, if a third party, such as a contractor, driver, or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the accident, you may pursue a separate claim for additional damages like pain and suffering that are not available through workers’ compensation.
How long does the workers' comp process take?
Each workers' compensation case varies. Our team works diligently to expedite your workers' compensation claim while ensuring all your legal rights are protected.
Contact The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman For a Free Evaluation
Many claims are challenged by insurance companies questioning whether the injury occurred at work or whether the worker is truly unable to work, issues that often require experienced legal guidance to overcome.
If you’ve been injured on the job due to work accidents or occupational illness, don’t try to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone.
Contact the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman for a free consultation and get personal attention from a South Jersey workers’ compensation attorney who will fight to secure your benefits, protect your rights, and pursue every available path to full compensation.
The sooner you act, the better positioned you are to protect your claim and avoid delays.
$20 Million
Wrongful Death in New Jersey
$2 Million
Longshoreman Injury in New Jersey
$1.3 Million
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$1 Million
Workplace Accident in New Jersey
$825,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$750,000
Individual Harmed by an Exploding Thermos
$550,000
Neck & Back Injuries
$440,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident
$300,000
Minor with a Broken Leg
$300,000
Injuries Resulting From a Trip & Fall
$250,000
Pedestrian Accident
Injured? Tell Us Your Story. We’ll Handle the Rest.
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Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Injured at work, in an accident, or in a slip-and-fall in New Jersey?
From comparative-fault rules to the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Altman Team knows New Jersey law inside out. Whether your claim arises in Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, or Cape May County, we will protect your legal rights and help you get every dollar you deserve.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.