Why do I need a lawyer to file for New Jersey workers’ compensation?

Working with a New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer not only makes the process of obtaining benefits much easier on you, but it can also increase the chances that your claim gets approved and maximize the amount of benefits you receive.
 
A workers’ compensation lawyer takes the burden off of you
 
To successfully bring a workers’ compensation claim, you will need to know what information to include. Failing to present relevant information can delay a claim or result in your claim being denied by the insurance company. Once you identify what information you will need, the next step is to complete a claim.
 
Gathering evidence to put together a workers’ compensation claim is not an easy task. You may need to contact multiple healthcare providers, asking for your medical records. You will also need to include work-related information explaining how the accident occurred. Remember, you can only obtain workers’ compensation benefits if your injuries occurred on the job or were related to your job.
 
The insurance company reviewing your claim may argue that your claim does not qualify for benefits. The insurance company may claim your injuries were unrelated to your job or were pre-existing or that you can still perform the necessary functions of your job, despite your injuries. Refuting these arguments may be challenging for workers who are not familiar with the process. However, an experienced New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer will know how to deal with the insurance company effectively, so you do not have to.
 
A workers’ comp lawyer will negotiate a settlement offer with the insurance company
 
It is important to remember that insurance companies are not on your side. The insurance company will limit a settlement offer to the lowest amount they think you will accept. Often, injured workers assume that whatever settlement offer the insurance company makes is their best and final offer; but that is hardly ever the case.
 
A New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer will know how to negotiate with the insurance company. Workers’ compensation lawyers deal with insurance companies every day and will ensure the insurance company offers a full and fair settlement offer to you. Additionally, the insurance company will know that if a settlement is not reached, your lawyer will continue to pursue the claim, adding to the expense of defending the claim.
 
A workers’ compensation lawyer can attend any necessary hearings
 
While most workers’ compensation claims get settled out of Court, some proceed to a hearing. If your case does not settle, you will need to attend a hearing to prove that you are entitled to benefits. Having an attorney assist you with this process will make it easier for you and increase your chances of success. For example, an attorney will effectively cross-examine any witnesses called by the insurance company to show that their assertions are not accurate or credible.
 
A worker’s comp lawyer can help you determine if you have a third party personal injury claim
 
Most employees are familiar with the idea of workers’ compensation benefits. However, some workplace accidents give rise to additional claims against other parties. These are called third-party injury claims. A third-party injury claim can be filed against anyone other than your employer who caused or contributed to your injuries.
 
It is imperative that you consider a third-party injury case because these claims can provide you with additional damages that are not available through a worker’s comp claim. For example, a New Jersey workers’ compensation claim only provides injured workers with medical benefits and income-replacement benefits. However, a third-party personal injury claim allows a court to award non-economic damages, including compensation for your pain and suffering. These non-economic damages awards can be significant and should not be overlooked.
 
If you have been injured in a New Jersey workplace accident, reach out to the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for immediate assistance. We offer free consultations to accident victims and accept workers’ comp cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is never a fee unless we can help you obtain benefits and a settlement award on your behalf. You can reach us at 973-920-7900 or through our online form. 

Other Workers’ Compensation FAQs:

• Am I Allowed to Choose My Doctors For My Workplace Injury in New Jersey?
• Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation If I Am Hurt While Working From Home in New Jersey?
• Are Longshore Workers Eligible For Workers’ Compensation in New Jersey?
• Are Minors Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
• Are Minors Injured in a Work-Related Accident Eligible to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in New Jersey?
• Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Taxable?
• Can A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me Obtain Benefits and A Settlement Award?
• Can an Employer Fire an Employee for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim In New Jersey?
• Can CNAs or RNs Attacked by Patients Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits For Their Injuries?
• Can I Choose My Doctor For My Workers’ Compensation Claim in New Jersey?
• Can I File a Third-Party Lawsuit For My New Jersey Workplace Injury?
• Can I Get Workers’ Compensation When A Coworker Assaults Me?
• Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation For A Gradual, Repetitive Use Injury?
• Can I Reopen My Workers’ Compensation Case?
• Do I Need A Doctor’s Approval to Return to Work?
• How Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Get Paid If the Injured Worker Is Totally Disabled in New Jersey?
• How Does A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Get Paid?
• How Much Do Workers’ Compensation Lawyers charge in New Jersey?
• How Much Does a Lawyer Make Off of a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
• How Much Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Charge in New Jersey?
• I Was Terminated While Out of Work Due to an On-the Job Injury; What Are My Rights?
• If My Spouse or Parent Dies Due to a Work-Related Injury or Illness in New Jersey, Am I Entitled to Any Death Benefits?
• Is My Injury Considered A Permanent Partial Disability?
• Since I Cannot Perform the Job I Did Before the Injury, Can I Return to Work in a Different Capacity, and How Would That Impact Future Compensation?
• The Workers’ Compensation Doctor Has Released Me For Light Duty Work, But My Employer Told Ne There Is No Light Duty Work Available. What Should I Do?
• What Do I Do If I Get into a New Jersey Car Accident While Working?
• What Does A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do For You?
• What Does A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do?
• What Does A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Need to Know?
• What Does AWW Mean Under Workers’ Comp? (Average Weekly Wage)
• What Does FCE Mean Under Workers’ Comp? (Functional Capacity Evaluation)
• What Does IME Mean in Workers’ Comp? (Independent Medical Examination)
• What Does MMI Mean in Workers’ Comp? (Maximum Medical Improvement)
• What Does PPD Mean in Workers’ Comp? (Permanent Partial Disability)
• What Does TTD Mean in Workers’ Comp? (Temporary Total Disability)
• What Happens When Using A Lawyer For A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
• What Happens When You Get A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
• What Is A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
• What Kind of Information Does A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Need From You?
• What Should I Do If My Employer Refuses to Open Up a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
• What To Do If Your Employer Will Not Report Your New Jersey Accident to the Workers’ Compensation Carrier?
• What to Expect in Your Free Consultation with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
• What Type of Documents Do I Need to Sign to Allow My Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Accept My Settlement?
• What Will A New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorney Do For Me?
• What Workers’ Comp Benefits Can I Receive If I’m Unable to Work or Return to Work?
• When Do I Need A New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
• When Do Workers’ Compensation Payments Stop?
• When To Get A Lawyer For TBI Workers’ Compensation?
• When To Get A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
• While I Was Out of Work as a Result of a Work-Related Injury My Employer Terminated Me. Is This Legal?
• Why Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
• Why Do I Need A Lawyer to File For New Jersey Workers’ Compensation?
• Why Should I Have A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?