Workers' compensation provides medical treatment, wage replacement, permanent disability compensation, and death benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, as well as to the dependents of workers who die as a result of their employment.

What is workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation is a "no-fault" insurance program, meaning that a worker can receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This program offers:

• Medical benefits
• Total temporary disability benefits
• Partial permanent disability benefits
• Total permanent disability benefits

It also provides death benefits to the dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment. In exchange for receiving these benefits, the worker generally cannot sue the employer for pain and suffering or other damages, except in cases of intentional acts.

What should you do if you get injured at work?

You must notify your employer as soon as possible. Notification can be made to a supervisor, the human resources department, or any other person in a position of authority at the workplace, and it does not have to be in writing.

If you need medical attention, you should request it from your employer immediately. Under New Jersey workers' compensation law, the employer or their insurance company chooses the doctor who will treat the work-related injury.

What responsibilities does the employer have after an injury is reported?

Once the employer receives the accident report, their workers' compensation insurance company electronically submits a First Report of Injury to the State.

Next, the insurer evaluates the claim to determine if it is compensable under the law. During this process, they will communicate with the injured worker, the employer, and the medical provider.

If the claim is approved, the insurer will refer the worker to an authorized medical provider for treatment. If the worker misses more than seven days of work, they will also receive temporary disability benefits during their recovery.

Within 26 weeks of the worker returning to work or reaching their maximum medical improvement, the insurance company must file a Post-Injury Report with the appropriate Division. A copy of this report is sent to the worker for review.