What Is the Minimum Salary For New Jersey Workers to Receive Workers’ Compensation?

An experienced Workers´ Compensation team of attorneys will guide you all the way to get a fair outcome in your case.

Being injured on the job opens the door for a myriad of complex, often overwhelming questions. What is workers’ compensation?  If you are hurt at work, workers’ compensation is an insurance provided by your employer used to cover medical costs, rehabilitation (if necessary), and lost wages while you are recovering. Occupational hazards, temporary/total disability, permanent impairment, and death benefits are also covered.

Workers’ compensation began in the early 1900s and was available for federal workers only.  Later, each state would provide it for all employees, be they government or private employees. By the 1950s, all states had workers’ compensation laws on the books; however, as the programs are determined by the state government, the laws may differ according to the state in which you reside, including New Jersey and elsewhere across the United States. It is important to get all of the facts and be sure you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to.

Why Is Workers’ Compensation Important?

Employees are entitled to be covered under workers’ compensation because on-the-job injuries or work-related illnesses can be expensive, and proving negligence in court on the part of your employer is a tough row to hoe.  Workers’ compensation allows employees to receive financial assistance quickly.  It is well known that illness and injuries are unfortunately a frequent occurrence in the workplace, and this benefit provides economic support during the worker’s recovery. Business owners don’t have to fight a lawsuit for every workers’ injury because their employees are covered in terms of lost wages and medical treatment.

What Are the Kinds of Benefits Offered Through Workers’ Compensation?

Permanent Total Benefits are given when a worker, due to his or her injury or illness, is incapable of returning to work of any type due to their condition.  Permanent Partial Benefits are given when someone loses a limb or vital body part such as the eyes or incurs damage to a major organ.  Temporary Total Disability Benefits are given when a person is out more than seven days due to an injury or illness. For an injury or illness that is work-related but does not cause an extended physical debilitation, Medical Benefits such as medications, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy or chiropractic appointments, and hospitalization services, along with diagnostic tools such as ultrasounds, MRI’s, CAT scans, x-rays, and others.

What Are the Death Benefits Provided by Workers´Compensation?

No one wants to think about an accident or illness that leads to the death of a loved one but having a source of income after a tragedy can certainly put minds at ease. Death benefits start from the date of the employee’s passing.  Some benefits end later than others depending upon whether or not the worker qualifies for extended benefits.  The beneficiaries include the spouse, a dependent child, a dependent grandchild, or the deceased’s parents when there are no other beneficiaries.  There is also a burial benefit which pays between $4,000 and $12,000 depending upon the benefits obtained and state guidelines.

What is the Base Salary to Receive Workers’ Compensation and How Much Does It Pay?

To qualify for worker’s compensation, a person must earn a minimum of $34,320. For regular biweekly payments, workers’ compensation recipients receive 66% of their salary amount—a minimum of $34,320. In general, that would apply to the majority of full-time workers. Frequently, workers’ compensation recipients agree to a settlement rather than monthly payments. The settlement covers everything from lost wages and medical costs to scarring or deformations due to the injury.  There is no way to estimate an average amount of compensation as each case is unique, but they usually range between $3,000 and $50,000.  When a settlement is decided, the beneficiary agrees not to seek further legal action against the employer, which is beneficial to the insurance company and keeps the employer’s premiums reasonable.

Contact our Team of workers’ compensation attorneys for an initial free consultation.

Whenever dealing with legal and financial affairs, it is always a good idea to seek legal counsel. At Cohen & Riechelson, we pride ourselves on listening and taking our clients through their legal process clearly and effectively. We can help you to submit your claim and make sure your rights are protected. Our convenient offices Trenton have allowed us to serve countless clients with workers’ compensation matters throughout Mercer County and the greater South Jersey region.

If you need personalized advisement and assistance for a case in Princeton, Hamilton, Robbinsville, Hopewell, Pennington, Lawrence, or other New Jersey towns, our skilled legal professionals are prepared to help. Contact (609) 528-2596 to speak to a workers’ compensation attorney with experience about your particular claim.