If you were injured while on the job, you have options. Work injuries are unique in that New Jersey requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide medical care and a percentage of the injury victim’s wages while they’re recovering from the injury. When you’re injured while doing your job, it’s your employer’s job to ensure that workers’ compensation benefits are available to you. But before you file a claim it’s always best to have a free consultation with, a workers’ compensation attorney in Collingswood. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and best interests throughout the process.
If you’ve been injured on the job, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Collingswood can help. Call the workers’ compensation lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti today for a free case consultation.
Why Choose Us for Your Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Collingswood?
Cuneo & Leonetti have been representing injured clients in New Jersey with a track record of success for decades. We’ve helped those injured on the job receive the maximum possible benefits through a successful workers’ compensation claim or a third-party injury lawsuit. The compassionate attorneys at our workplace injury law firm in Collingswood will do the following:
- Offer a free confidential consultation and no upfront fees
- Help determine the best way forward for your claim
- Diligently file all appropriate paperwork in your claim
- Advise you on the possibility of a third-party lawsuit if it’s appropriate in your case
- Represent your interests in an appeal hearing if you’ve received a denial of your filed claim
Third-party lawsuits are possible as a way forward with full compensation if your injury occurred due to a third party’s negligence in the workplace such as a negligent contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or vendor. In some cases, a third party in an on-the-job accident could be a negligent driver if an accident occurred while you were on the road for work.
If a third-party lawsuit is appropriate in your Collingswood workplace injury claim, it’s possible to gain compensation for your pain and suffering. Workers’ compensation does not allow claims for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
New Jersey employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage for injured employees or those who develop work-related illnesses. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance that doesn’t require the injury victim to prove an employer’s negligence. It also protects employers against the threat of lawsuits. Workers’ compensation in New Jersey covers the following for injured employees:
- Medical care costs
- Future costs for rehabilitation or any necessary treatment
- 70% of your average weekly wages or salary with a maximum of $1,099 in New Jersey
Injured employees receive workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey until they can return to work, reach maximum medical improvement, or reach the limit of 400 weeks of benefits. Typically, the employer chooses the medical provider for a workplace injury covered by their workers’ compensation insurance.
Your attorney from Cuneo & Leonetti will investigate your injury claim and provide invaluable legal counsel when you need it most. No one should have to face financial hardship after a workplace injury.
Workplace Accidents That Could Yield A Workers’ Comp Claim
Injuries occur in any workplace environment. A workplace injury could occur due to a slip-and-fall in an office or a fall from a roof or scaffolding on a construction site. Common workplace accidents that result in claims for workers’ compensation in New Jersey include the following:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Equipment malfunction injuries
- Burns
- Toxic exposures
- Electrocutions
- Crush-between injuries
- Injuries from falling shelves and boxes
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Defective product injuries
- Workplace violence
No matter how your injury occurred, if it happened while you were performing your duties at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance offers the coverage you need to continue providing for your family while also caring for your injury.
Common Injuries in New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Claims
If an injury is significant or severe enough to require medical care and time away from work, you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. The following injuries could qualify for benefits:
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Electrocutions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and torn ligaments
- Illness from toxic exposure
- Crush injuries
When injuries interfere with the ability to go to work and provide for yourself and your family, you could quickly face financial hardship. A workers’ compensation attorney from Cuneo & Leonetti in Collingswood is ready to help navigate your claim to maximize your recovery.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury
If you’ve been injured at work, the success of your workers’ compensation claim could depend on your actions after the injury. If your injury occurs suddenly, it’s critical to call 911 or arrange transportation to a hospital as soon as possible. Be sure to inform your employer of your injury and ask them to fill out an accident report. Then, undergo a complete medical examination and tell the doctor about all of your symptoms, even those that seem minor.
Your employer may require you to see a specific medical provider to evaluate your injuries before deciding on your claim.
What Types of Damages are Recoverable?
The consequences of a workplace injury can quickly cause serious consequences, both physically and financially. Injuries require expensive medical treatment, sometimes followed by rehabilitation. Medical costs add up at the same time you may be unable to return to work due to serious painful injuries. These consequences of an injury are called “damages” in a personal injury claim or a worker’s compensation benefits claim. Damages available in the majority of workers’ compensation claims include 70% of wages as well as medical care through the doctor of your employer’s choice. In cases of catastrophic injuries, benefits could also include the following:
- Permanent total disability benefits
- Permanent partial disability benefits
- Death benefits and funeral expenses
How Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help?
You’ve given your employer your best work, resulting in a serious injury. A Collingswood workers’ compensation lawyer ensures the prompt and correct filing of all paperwork and represents your interests throughout the the following process:
- Ensuring that you notified your employer of the injury (this should occur immediately after the injury
- Filing a claim petition or an application for an informal hearing
- Representing your interests at the hearing
- Appealing a negative decision
Like all insurance companies, workers’ compensation exists to make profits and sometimes find reasons to deny valid claims. No one should tackle this complex system alone, especially at a time when they need to focus on their physical recovery. By putting your case in the hands of the experienced Collingswood injury lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti, you can focus on healing while we focus on securing your compensation and maximizing your benefits.
Call the best Collingswood workers’ compensation attorneys at Cuneo & Leonetti today for a confidential consultation so we can begin a personalized legal strategy for your case.