Medical Benefits Lawyer Hamilton NJ
With Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, NJ
Workers’ compensation laws exist to protect workers who suffer on-the-job accidents. If you have been injured while performing a work-related task, your employer is responsible for your medical bills. Employers in New Jersey must carry workers’ compensation insurance. You are eligible to receive benefits if you are hurt, become ill, or suffer an injury due to long-term working conditions. Getting benefits is critical to your recovery and well-being. It sounds simple, but unfortunately, it can be much more complicated in practice. Unfortunately, many employers fight workers’ comp claims and routinely deny medical benefits to injured workers.
Workers compensation insurance companies can challenge your claim and deny the benefits you deserve, leaving you with medical bills and lost wages. Our dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers are here to support you and help you navigate the system to get the benefits you are entitled to. You should not have to pay for medical treatment necessitated by a job-related injury. That’s why you should seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer who can guide you through the New Jersey workers’ compensation court system and help you obtain much-needed medical benefits.
Accident Benefits Attorney Princeton
The personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers at Cohen & Riechelson are strong advocates for the legal rights of injured workers. We have been helping clients file workers’ compensation claims in New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 1972. During that time, we’ve assisted countless injured workers throughout Mercer County, NJ, including West Windsor, Hopewell, and Robbinsville. CR will represent you throughout the legal process and stand by your side during settlement negotiations and in workers’ compensation court. We will see that you get the medical benefits you deserve. If you’ve been injured at work or are struggling to get the medical benefits you need, contact the seasoned attorneys at Cohen and Riechelson today at (609) 528-2596.
Procedure When Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim for Medical Benefits in Mercer County, New Jersey
When you notify your employer that you require medical treatment for a work-related injury, they are required to inform their insurance company. At the same time, they must file a report of the injury with the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation so that the legal process can run its course and you can receive compensation for your injuries.
However, keep in mind that your employer has the right to deny your request for workers’ compensation in the form of medical benefits, income benefits, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability benefits. If your employer opposes your request for coverage, you will then need to file a formal claim petition with a special workers’ compensation court. Most people don’t realize that they have the right to a hearing concerning decisions about their medical care when they are injured on the job. You do have that right.
Keep in mind that you may be sent to a doctor of your employer’s choosing for a medical examination. The results of this examination will weigh heavily in the decision, rendered by a workers’ compensation court judge, about whether you are entitled to medical benefits. You will want competent legal representation as early as possible in the legal process. An attorney can help you get a qualified doctor’s expert opinion about your injuries. An attorney can also prepare the necessary legal paperwork and file a motion for a hearing to be held before a judge of compensation.
Types of Workers’ Comp Medical Benefits in Hamilton, NJ
Your employer’s insurance carrier pays workers’ compensation medical benefits. These benefits cover a wide range of services deemed necessary and reasonable by the insurance company, providing comprehensive coverage for your medical needs. Although there are limits on other types of workers’ comp benefits, there are no limits on the amount of medical benefits you can receive through workers’ compensation. This includes any necessary medical treatment, hospital services, and prescription medication. Essentially, hospitalization, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic treatments, medicine, pain management, office visits, x-rays, diagnostic testing, and surgery are all services covered by workers’ compensation, ensuring you are fully protected in case of an injury.
One limitation is that your employer will probably get to choose the physician who treats your injuries. This is problematic because the doctor could be under intense pressure by your employer to send you back to work as soon as possible. This often leads to premature returns to work and even more severe injuries. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney at our distinguished law firm can guard against this and help to make sure that you are not sent back to work until you are physically ready to return.
Common Injuries Entitling Workers to Medical Benefits in New Jersey
It’s a common misconception that workers’ compensation medical benefits only apply to accidents. In reality, the coverage extends to a wide range of injuries and conditions. Workers’ compensation in New Jersey covers all necessary medical treatment for on-the-job injuries, including traumatic injuries, repetitive stress injuries, aggravation or exacerbation injuries, and occupational illnesses. For instance, long-term strain injuries from repetitive motion such as assembly line work, typing, or repetitive use of vibrating or loud machinery can lead to a gradual condition that eventually becomes a disability. Data entry specialists and others who spend all day at their computers can develop carpal tunnel syndrome or neck and back conditions requiring rest and physical therapy.
Additionally, exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to internal organ damage to the lungs, throat, or skin or conditions such as cancer due to overexposure. In loud environments such as manufacturing jobs, construction, or road repair, persistent noise can affect hearing and cause partial deafness. Workers’ compensation and medical benefits are provided for these situations as well.
Additional Benefits Beyond Medical Costs that Injured Workers can Obtain in NJ
Besides medical costs, workers’ compensation disability benefits protect workers from lost wages. The most common disability benefit for covering lost wages is temporary disability benefits. If you cannot work for more than seven days, you are temporarily disabled and eligible for lost wage coverage. You will not be paid your full salary. The workers’ compensation benefits pay 70% of your average weekly wages until you can go back to work, have reached the statutory maximum of 400 weeks of benefits, or have reached what insurers call the “maximum medical recovery.” This condition is determined by the insurers’ doctor or specialists who decide your condition will no longer benefit from further treatment and will not improve.
Permanent partial disability benefits are applicable for injured workers who have some loss of function and can work in a limited capacity—permanent injuries to appendages such as fingers, feet, arms, etc. Disability payments begin when temporary disability payments have ended. Permanent total disability payments are for workers who cannot return to employment. When the case is re-evaluated, they are paid for up to 450 weeks, and if the disability continues, the benefits will be provided. The dependents and spouse of a deceased worker are entitled to $3,500 in funeral expenses and weekly benefit payments of 70% of the deceased worker’s weekly pay in death benefits when the accident or illness is work-related.
Fighting Back Against Employers who Try to Avoid Paying for Injured Workers’ Medical Care
The workers’ compensation system has many benefits, but a process must be followed carefully, and not all cases are as straightforward as they may seem. You must report your injury to your employer and choose from a list of medical health professionals that they give you. Their insurance provider may want to downplay your injury or claim they are not responsible because you were not following the necessary safety protocol or your injury was pre-existing. They may claim that you are, in fact, a private contractor and not an employee, which means you are not entitled to any benefits. Perhaps they allege that you were injured because you were acting carelessly or endangering yourself and others with unnecessary horseplay. In these complex situations, you need an experienced legal professional who can investigate and support your injury claim with the facts, providing you with the reassurance and confidence you need during this challenging time.
At Cohen and Riechelson, our workers’ compensation lawyers can help to ensure you receive the full benefits you are entitled to. We can contact specialists to assist in our investigation as we gather the medical evidence needed to build your case. Our goal is to work as hard as possible so that you receive the benefits you need as you recover from your injury. If, for some reason, your claim is denied, we can also help file an appeal on your behalf.
Free Consultation with a Lawrence NJ Workers’ Comp Attorney
The workers’ compensation attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson are prepared to secure medical benefits for your job-related injuries. Additionally, there are no upfront fees; we only get paid after we win your case and get you benefits. Call us anytime at (609) 528-2596 for assistance in filing a formal demand to get proper medical treatment and benefits. You can also email us to schedule a no-obligation meeting at our Hamilton or Pennington offices.
