When people are injured in a New Jersey workplace, they may face medical bills and be forced to spend time away from the job. The workers’ compensation system entitles people hurt at work to receive benefits that can defray these mounting expenses. For example, workers’ comp generally covers medical care, including bills, prescriptions and travel to the hospital. In some cases, workers may need to use specific doctors to treat their injuries for a certain period. In order to protect their rights, injured workers can also report workplace accidents right away and receive prompt treatment.
Workers who are too injured to return to the job right away may be able to receive temporary disability payments to cover their lost wages through workers’ compensation. There are limits to the amount received under this program, so it may not cover the full amount of pay lost due to the injury. In most cases, these payments are around two-thirds of an injured worker’s normal salary every two weeks. It can take a few weeks for these payments to start arriving.
In some cases, a workplace accident can permanently prevent people from returning to their former job. They may be eligible for some amount of permanent disability in this case, although they may be expected to find another job. Injured workers may also be entitled to compensation for future wages lost as a result of their injuries. Workers’ comp benefits can also include vocational rehabilitation to help people find a new job suitable to their current capabilities.
There are different types of benefits to cover the loss of wages after a workplace injury, and eligibility can depend on each person’s specific circumstances. A workers’ compensation lawyer may help clients obtain the benefits to which they are entitled.