Common Work Injuries on the Job in New Jersey

Employers are required to provide their employees with a safe work environment. Oftentimes, employees are injured at work due to conditions that are, by their very nature, filled with risk and at times, dangerous. If you are injured while working, you should immediately seek medical attention and report the accident to your Supervisor so you can receive authorized treatment. Many work injuries involve construction site accidents, slip and fall accidents, truck accidents or car accidents, which may involve a third party or outside contractor. Many workers are injured while trying to lift heavy objects, operating a forklift, falling off a ladder or slipping on a wet floor, making a delivery and slipping on ice or snow, or are bitten by a dog.

Common injuries that can occur while at work include:

• Disc Herniations, such as neck and back herniations from heavy lifting
• Nerve Injuries, such as carpal tunnel
• Rotator cuff injuries from lifting heavy objects
• Head Injuries such as concussions from falling objects
• Whiplash
• Knee / ankle / foot injuries
• Spinal cord injuries (leading to temporary or permanent paralysis)
• Broken bones
• Lacerations and puncture wounds
• Internal injuries
• Eye Injuries, including vision problems, even blindness

Regardless of how you were injured, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If you are considering a workers’ comp claim, remember, you do not need to prove that your employer was to blame for your accident.

How Does the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation System Work?

The workers’ compensation statute requires that an employee who is hurt on the job must report the injury to their employer as soon as possible. Upon notice to your employer of the accident, you are entitled to three benefits. They are:

1. All of your medical treatment and bills will be covered as long as you go to an authorized doctor.
2. While you are unable to work and healing, you will receive 70 percent of your wages up to a state maximum.
3. You are entitled to a “Permanency Award” – this applies to a functional loss or disability that is attributed to your on-the-job injury.
Benefits are designed to last as long as the injured worker is unable to work. If a workplace accident results in a worker’s permanent disability or prolonged inability to work, they may be able to collect permanent benefits.

Contact an Experienced New Jersey Work Injury Lawyer for Immediate Assistance

If you are injured while on the job, you may have questions about who will pay for your medical bills, and when you will be expected to go back to work. At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys have over 35 years of experience aggressively representing employees and their families in New Jersey, helping them obtain the benefits they need. To learn more about how we can help you pursue your claim, give us a call today at (973) 920-7900 to request a free and confidential consultation. There is no risk in calling, because we never charge a fee unless we can help you obtain the benefits you seek. We have offices conveniently located in Denville and Morristown.