What benefits does workers’ compensation offer?

If an accident occurs while you are at work that leaves you injured and unable to work for any period of time, you will want to understand what type of help you may receive. This help may include medical care as well as financial assistance to replace the wages you may lose when you cannot work.

Workers’ compensation is a program that most employers in New Jersey participate in. Through this program, you may receive essential help after a work-related injury.

Workers’ compensation benefit types

As explained by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, workers’ compensation may pay you a portion of your wages while you are off work due to your injury. The amount of money you may receive would be a portion of your normal earnings up to a maximum based on the state’s average weekly wage. These benefits may be paid for a temporary disability or for a permanent disability.

In addition to wage loss benefits, workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical treatment associated with your on-the-job injury. For accidents that result in death, family members may qualify for special death benefits via workers’ compensation.

Temporary and permanent benefits

If a person is deemed by a medical professional to have reached the best level of recovery possible but remains unable to work, their workers’ compensation benefits may transfer from a temporary to a permanent status.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in New Jersey an overview of the type of benefits that may be available to them through the state’s workers’ compensation program.