Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Pennsauken, NJ

Workplace injuries can happen in any job, from physically demanding roles, such as construction or manufacturing, to sedentary careers like accounting or retail. The workers’ compensation system exists to provide workers with compensation for medical care, missed wages, and/or long-term disabilities caused by their injuries. It can also provide settlement money to the families of workers who were tragically killed while on the job.

Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation process in New Jersey can be challenging. Workers may struggle to access the benefits they are rightfully owed, which can be frustrating for workers who are trying to pay their bills while also coping with their injuries.

If your workers’ comp claim has been denied, or you feel unheard by the insurance company or doctor in your case, it’s time to call a workers’ compensation lawyer in Pennsauken, NJ. Contact the team at Pond Lehocky for a free consultation.

Pennsauken, NJ Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Near Me

Our New Jersey office is located at 5434 King Ave., #201, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08109, adjacent to Calvary Cemetery and across the street from ACCU Staffing. Please note that attorneys are available at this location by appointment only.

How the Workers’ Compensation Process Works in New Jersey

The workers’ compensation system is designed to protect both workers and their employers. When an employee is injured on the job, they can either file a claim or sue their employer for damages for their injury. All employers in New Jersey are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, though unless the injury occurred as a result of employer negligence, most employees use the workers’ comp system to seek damages.

What to Do After Suffering an On-the-Job Injury

The first step you should take if you were hurt on the job in New Jersey is to notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible (within 90 days of the incident). Your employer should then respond by filing your claim to the state board and giving you a list of doctors approved by their insurance. If they do not, then you can contact your employer’s insurance company directly for the list of approved doctors.

If your injury requires immediate care, you can go to the emergency room under your employer’s insurance. Tell the medical professional treating you that you were injured at work. Anyone who was injured at work needs to see a doctor authorized by their employer’s workers’ comp insurance provider.

Next, file an official claim with the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. Your employer’s insurance company will contact you anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after the incident to determine your eligibility for benefits. Then, within the next few months, your claim should either be approved or denied.

If you have not heard anything regarding your benefits, contact your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, you will need to contact the insurance company assigned to your case or the workers’ compensation division.

Workers’ Comp Insurance Providers

At some point during the process, you will be contacted by a workers’ comp insurance representative. Unfortunately, this is where a lot can go wrong. While the workers’ compensation process is designed to benefit the injured employee, it is still in the insurance company’s best interest to pay the lowest payment possible or even to deny the claim entirely.

The insurance company may even attempt to use manipulative or unethical tactics when communicating with an injured employee. For instance, these may include trying to get you to implicate or contradict yourself in an attempt to deny your claim.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Appeal

If your claim is denied, you will have the option to appeal. Your lawyer can file the appeal, represent you throughout this process, and brief you on your options.

However, even if the claim is approved, there may still be additional hurdles to overcome. For instance, the settlement amount may be inadequate for the severity of your injuries, or you may be required to see a third-party medical evaluator which can delay or even reduce your payout. In either case, you can appeal an unfavorable decision with the help of a Pennsauken, NJ workers’ compensation lawyer.

Why It Is Better to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Help with Your Case

There is a lot that can go wrong during the workers’ comp claim process, and our clients often feel like the system is designed to work against them. We have seen firsthand the lengths that insurance companies will go to to avoid paying our clients their rightful settlements, and we have extensive experience in dealing with any issues as they arise.

The filing process can be intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with it. The filing deadlines and documentation requirements can be challenging to meet, especially if you are also dealing with a debilitating injury. A workers’ comp lawyer can not only represent you in an appeal if your claim is denied, but they can also help you file the right paperwork, gather the necessary evidence, and even communicate with the insurance company and your employer on your behalf to give you the best chance of the acceptance of your claim.

What Does a Workers’ Comp Claim Cover in Pennsauken, NJ?

If your claim is approved, workers’ compensation can cover just about any injury a person can have, from a sprained wrist to a coma. It can also compensate the grieving family of a loved one who died due to a workplace injury. Here are the full range of benefits you may receive:

• Medical Treatment: All necessary medical expenses related to treating a work-related injury or illness, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, prescriptions, and rehabilitation.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: Wage replacement benefits if the employee cannot work for more than seven days due to the injury. This generally amounts to 70% of the worker’s average weekly wage, up to a state-mandated maximum.
• Permanent Partial or Total Disability Benefits: Compensation if the injury or illness results in permanent impairment, with benefits calculated based on the degree of disability.

Death Benefits: Financial support to dependents if a work-related injury or illness results in death. This includes funeral expenses and ongoing benefits for the worker’s dependents.

How Much Is a Pennsauken Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?

The actual amount you may receive from a workers’ compensation settlement will depend on numerous factors, such as how the injury occurred and how serious of an impact the injury will have on you and your family. Perhaps the most important factor of all is whether or not you decide to hire a workers’ comp lawyer to represent you.

Insurance companies often try to take advantage of injured workers who they believe have little knowledge of how the workers’ comp process works. However, when that person is represented by a lawyer, they tend to take those cases more seriously and are more inclined to play by the rules.

Workers’ Compensation in Pennsauken, NJ FAQ

Here are some of the more common questions we receive from clients. If you have a question not answered here, reach out to us for a consultation.

How Do I File an Appeal if My Workers’ Compensation Claim Was Denied in New Jersey?

To file an appeal for a denied workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey, you or your lawyer will need to submit a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing to the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. Then, a judge will review your case and determine your eligibility for benefits.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Workers’ Comp Case?

While your employer or their insurance company may try to convince you that you are ineligible for workers’ comp, a lawyer experienced in representing injured workers will be able to tell you if you have a case or not during your initial consultation.

How Do I Find a Good Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

The best way to find the right workers’ compensation lawyer for your case is to do some research into a firm’s client reviews and testimonials. If you’re looking for a workers’ compensation lawyer near you, you can find our offices located across the country, as well as in Puerto Rico and Canada.

Connect with a Pennsauken Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

Whether you need immediate help filing a claim or communicating with your employer or insurance company, or if you simply have a few questions about how the claims process works, we hope you will consider Pond Lehocky. Our firm has defended the rights of workers and their families for over a decade and has secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients across the country. To schedule a free consultation, call us or fill out our contact form.