Getting sick or injured while working can leave an individual in a precarious financial situation because they may need to stop working while they recover. Fortunately, the state allows injured or sick employees to seek financial relief through workers’ compensation benefits in Union City. However, they must do so correctly so they can receive their benefits on time.
One of our workers’ compensation attorneys from the Law Offices of Lloyd E. Bennett, Esq., P.C., can help with filing your claim, pursuing compensation, and negotiating the settlement to ensure you receive enough benefits to pay your bills and live with dignity while recuperating from your illness or injuries.
The workers’ compensation process is guided by New Jersey Statute § 34:15-1. In Union City, before you can access workers’ compensation benefits, you need to follow these steps:
Usually, as soon as your employer receives notice of your illness or injury, they will initiate their process, which includes filing a first injury report with the state, notifying their workers’ compensation insurance carrier about the incident, and recommending medical providers.
Generally speaking, unless you receive specific authorization from your employer to use your personal care provider or your employer failed to provide medical references, you need to use your employer’s preferred providers. Failure to do so can accrue out-of-pocket expenses that you cannot recover when you file your workers’ compensation claim.
If you are unable to return to work within seven days of the accident or illness, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, after reviewing the case, will start paying up to 70 percent of your weekly pay if they conclude that the injury or illness is compensable, up to a certain cap set by statute.
In Union City, some of the available workers’ compensation benefits include coverage for:
The benefits that you qualify for often depend on the extent of your injury or illness.
You can only receive these benefits if you are in active treatment or have not yet attained maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means continued treatment will yield no improvement in your condition. Once you are discharged or your doctor has issued the MMI, the benefits stop.
There are two grounds for an injured or ill employee to receive workers’ compensation. The first is that they must be employed by the company, so independent contractors and other temporary hires may not qualify. Second, they must have been performing work-related activities when they became ill or sustained those injuries.
Union City is located in a no-fault workers’ compensation state, which means that even if you were responsible for the accident that caused your illness or injuries, you are still entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
While filing for workers’ compensation benefits can often be straightforward, that is not always the case. You should speak to one of our attorneys at the Law Offices of Lloyd E. Bennett Esq., P.C. for help securing workers’ compensation benefits in Union City.
We can provide legal guidance and representation while helping you navigate the process. If the claim is denied, our attorneys can file an appeal and help you navigate the process until you receive your benefits. Contact us to discuss your case today.
(201) 330-8883