Are You Unsure Of What To Do After A Workplace Injury?

No one ever expects to suffer from an injury or illness at work. When such incidents happen, many people are unsure about what to do. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, it is important to contact a lawyer knowledgeable in this area of law immediately.

Many injured parties are often denied benefits because they do not take the right steps required under the law as soon as they are injured. Visiting their own doctor, waiting too long to seek treatment or failing to disclose a preexisting condition often bars or delays those entitled to benefits from getting quick approval for those benefits.

At the Johnson Law Firm LLC in Freehold, we are here to help make sure that does not happen.

Trusted Experience Handling Workers’ Compensation Claims

Our firm has over 30 years of combined experience helping individuals in New Jersey obtain workers’ comp benefits. We have the experience to tackle your case in the trenches and to take it into the courtroom with our depth of knowledge of the law, legal procedures and the ever more complex interrelationship between the Social Security Administration, Medicare and Medicaid to your claim for injuries.

We have assisted many types of individuals with their workers’ compensation claims, including:

• Medical assistants who have developed neck, back and hand injuries due to continuous handling of instruments
• Ironworkers, mechanics, machinists, carpenters, drywallers, plasterers, electricians and plumbers who have been injured over the course of time
• Cashiers who have developed carpal tunnel syndrome because of continuous handling and reaching for items in the checkout lane
• Chefs and kitchen staff who have developed back injuries from lifting industrial-sized food product containers or carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive food preparation
• If you are an essential worker and contracted COVID during the pandemic, your employer may be responsible for your medical treatment, salary replacement and other benefits

We have also assisted widows/widowers of workers who have perished from hazardous workplace injuries or illnesses.

If a workplace accident involved a third-party contractor or was the result of a defective product, you may be able to recover workers’ compensation and file a personal injury lawsuit as well. We will explore every option to maximize the amount you recover.

Along with the experience needed to handle your case, we make sure we are always easily accessible to you if you ever have any questions about workers’ compensation or concerns about the status of your case. Our attorneys understand the stress that you are dealing with; your time and energy are devoted to rehabilitation, recovery and how you are going to pay the bills.

Common Injuries That Can Lead To Workers’ Compensation Claims

Work-related injuries can take many forms, sidelining you from your job for weeks, months or years. Some of the most common include:

• Back and neck injuries
• Knee injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and head injuries
• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains and tears)
• Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, paralysis and other catastrophic injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries like carpel tunnel syndrome

Any number of job conditions or accidents can cause those injuries. Examples include:

• Falls
• Slip and falls
• Heavy lifting
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Heavy equipment accidents
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Shootings and workplace violence
• Overexertion

After a workplace accident or injury, your first step should be reporting the accident to your employer and getting any necessary urgent medical treatment. After that, as soon as practicable, speak with an attorney. The Johnson Law Firm LLC in Freehold, New Jersey, can help you pursue the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.

Were Your Workers’ Comp Benefits Denied Or Terminated?

Nothing is more frustrating than getting a denial or unexpected termination of your workers’ comp benefits. The impact of a denied claim can be especially staggering when you’re already suffering.

You shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial worries of a serious work injury or illness. Thankfully, you may still have an opportunity to turn your claim around, provided you take action before the appeal deadline.

Two Avenues For Appeal

In New Jersey, there are two ways to pursue a workers’ compensation appeal:

• An informal hearing before the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation
• A formal appeal with an administrative judge

If the formal appeal fails, you might also have grounds to pursue further appeal in court.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ comp is a complex topic. If you’ve suffered a work injury or an illness, you undoubtedly have questions about how to proceed. Below are some answers to common questions we get at Johnson Law Firm LLC. For guidance on the specifics of your workers’ comp case, please reach out to our attorney.

How do I file a workers’ comp claim?

Your first step should be to report the accident, injury or illness to your employer. Then talk to a lawyer about pursuing a workers’ comp claim. The filling process can be complicated, and strict deadlines apply. The sooner you enlist trusted legal help, the better.

What kind of workers’ comp benefits can I get?

Depending on the nature and severity of your work-related injury or illness, you might be entitled to benefits such as medical coverage, temporary or permanent wage replacement and job retraining. Surviving family members who have lost loved ones to a job-related accident or illness may be entitled to death benefits. Learn more about workers’ comp benefits in New Jersey.

What if I’m an undocumented immigrant?

You may still be entitled to workers’ comp. Employees who get hurt on the job are eligible for benefits regardless of their status. Learn more about workers’ comp for undocumented immigrants.

What if my minor child has been injured on the job?

Minors who get injured on the job are eligible to pursue workers’ compensation benefits. Learn more about the rights of minors who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses in New Jersey.

Can I sue my employer?

The workers’ comp system is designed to be an exclusive remedy for an injured employee, meaning you can’t sue your employer for negligence relating to your injury or illness. However, there are exceptions. Learn more about suing your employer for job-related injuries.

What is an occupational exposure case?

An occupational exposure case may be filed when a worker suffers an illness, a disease or a condition from a certain type of employment for a prolonged period. Repetitive stress injury due to continuous use of hand-held power tools is an occupational exposure case, for example.

What is a third-party liability case?

A third-party liability case is a lawsuit against someone – other than the employer or co-employee – who caused an injury on a job site. There are many third-party liability personal injury claims arising from construction sites. Commercial vehicles on the job site or employment-related car accidents may also cause an injury to a worker for which a third-party liability claim may be filed.

How long will my workers’ comp case take?

The timeline of your workers’ compensation case depends on many factors, including the seriousness of your injury, the length of your treatment and the cooperativeness (or lack thereof) of your employer and their insurer. Each case is different. It is important to work with an attorney as soon as your accident occurs to be sure that you are on the right track to recovery, both medically and financially, and to ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines that could derail your claim.

What if I have a prior condition aggravated by a work injury?

If you have a prior condition, be upfront about it. Sometimes people hide a prior injury, thinking it could hurt their workers’ compensation claim. A prior condition does not hurt your case and could actually help your workers’ compensation case.

What if my employer is disputing my claim?

If your employer is disputing your workers’ compensation claim, do not accept their denial or their insurance company’s denial of your claim. Take control of your case. Contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer right away so that you can get your case on the right track. If you have been denied benefits, do not wait for your employer’s next move. Contact an attorney at once to take charge of your case.

What should my next step be?

As soon as possible, talk to a workers’ compensation attorney about your case. At Johnson Law Firm LLC in Freehold, we offer New Jersey residents consultations to review your workers’ compensation claim. We have over 30 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation cases. We will provide your case the attention you need to get the compensation you deserve to get your life back on track. Call our office at 732-333-8751 or email us to schedule a consultation.

Getting You On The Right Path

Whether you have suffered from carpal tunnel or a herniated disk in a construction accident or have been exposed to a noxious substance, our firm has the experience to help.

Call our office at 732-333-8751 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We will sit down with you, discuss your situation in greater detail and determine a plan of action that is right for you.