Workers Compensation in New Jersey
A workplace injury doesn’t just affect your health—it can disrupt your income, your stability, and your future.
However, obtaining benefits in New Jersey isn’t always simple. Employers and insurance companies may delay payments, challenge your claim, or offer settlements that don’t fully cover your needs. Understanding your rights and navigating the process correctly is key to ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
This guide walks you through how workers’ compensation works and the steps you should take after an illness or injury.
Workers Compensation Statistics in New Jersey?
Workplace injuries continue to be a concern for employees across New Jersey. In 2023, private-sector employers reported approximately 75,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.6 cases per 100 full-time employees—on par with the national average.
Some of New Jersey’s most hazardous industries include:
- Healthcare and Social Assistance: With an injury rate of 4.0 per 100 employees, workers frequently suffer from lifting injuries, workplace violence, and exposure to infectious diseases.
- Construction: An industry with a high incidence of falls, equipment-related accidents, and overexertion injuries.
- Manufacturing: With an injury rate of 3.7 per 100 workers, common risks include repetitive motion injuries, machinery-related accidents, and hazardous material exposure.
The most frequently reported workplace injuries in New Jersey include:
- Slips, Trips, and Falls: Leading to fractures, sprains, and concussions.
- Overexertion Injuries: Caused by heavy lifting, pushing, or repetitive movements.
- Repetitive Stress Disorders: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and chronic back pain from repeated strain.
With the average cost of a medically consulted workplace injury at $42,000 nationwide, workers’ compensation benefits play a crucial role in protecting employees from financial hardship.
How Does Workers Comp Work in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system ensures that employees injured on the job receive medical care and wage replacement benefits. To qualify, the injury or illness must be directly related to your job duties.
New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development stipulates all employers, not covered by federal programs, have workers’ compensation coverage. Out-of-state employers may need coverage if work is performed in New Jersey. However, unpaid volunteers and interns are exempt.
Benefits for injuries and illness include medical treatment, temporary disability for lost wages, and compensation for permanent disability. You can also receive benefits for repetitive stress injuries. With medical documentation, mental injuries are compensable if caused by the workplace.
Wage replacement benefits typically begin after a seven-day waiting period and continue until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) or can return to work.
Get Medical Attention
Your health should be your first priority after a workplace injury. Seeking medical care promptly ensures proper treatment and establishes medical documentation linking your injury to your job—an essential factor in filing a successful workers’ compensation claim.
In New Jersey, your employer or their insurance provider has the right to select your treating physician. If you choose to see a different doctor, the insurer may refuse to cover the expenses unless you obtain prior approval.
Even if you think your injury is minor, don’t delay treatment. Conditions such as repetitive stress injuries, internal trauma, or joint damage can worsen over time, making it harder to prove they were work-related.
Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, and prescriptions. These documents will be crucial if your claim is challenged or if you require additional benefits.
File a First Report of Injury
Once you’ve received medical treatment, the next step is notifying your employer about the injury. New Jersey law requires you to report workplace injuries as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days from the date of the accident.
Your employer is responsible for filing a First Report of Injury (FROI) with their workers’ compensation insurance provider and the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. This report must include:
- •The date, time, and location of the injury.
- •A detailed account of how the accident occurred.
- •Information regarding the medical treatment received.
The insurance carrier will review your claim and determine eligibility for benefits. If your injury is disputed, you may be required to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) to assess its severity.
New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a formal workers’ compensation claim. If you fail to take action within this period, you may lose your right to benefits.
If an injured employee cannot work for more than 7 days, they are eligible to receive temporary disability benefits. New Jersey Workers’ Compensation requires that these benefits be retroactive to the first day. Compensation is 70% of their average weekly wage.
Generally, you can expect to wait 2 weeks before receiving temporary disability benefits. Maximum compensation is 75% of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage, and the minimum is 20%.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Even though New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system is designed to support injured workers, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. If you face delays, disputes, or unfair treatment, a lawyer can help you fight for your rights.
A workers’ compensation attorney can:
- Ensure your claim is filed correctly to avoid unnecessary delays or denials.
- Negotiate with insurance providers to maximize your benefits.
- Represent you in hearings before the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation.
- Advocate for additional compensation, such as permanent disability benefits or vocational retraining.
If your claim has been denied or your benefits have been cut off early, an attorney can help you appeal and fight for the compensation you need.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in New Jersey
Your health and well-being need to come first. If you are hurt while working or find out an illness you are suffering is the result of your job, you will want to seek compensation.
We can connect you with a local attorney or one across New Jersey state lines.
Submit a request online or call us at (866) 345-6784 to find a workers’ compensation lawyer today!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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