Attorneys for New Jersey Winter Workplace Injuries
Recovering Compensation for NJ Workers Injured by Winter Weather Dangers on the Job
Winter is coming in New Jersey, and along with it, a whole new set of risks at work, even in those industries not known as dangerous. Winter workplaces present a variety of unique hazards, primarily due to cold temperatures, snow, and ice. These environmental conditions increase the risk of workplace injuries, especially for employees working outdoors or in areas where winter weather is particularly harsh. Whether in construction, maintenance, or office settings, workers in New Jersey face heightened dangers during the winter months, and employers must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their staff.
If you have been injured on the job due to hazardous wintery conditions, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation. We proudly assist clients with the process of filing and completing workers compensation claims in Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, Lawrence, West Windsor, East Windsor, Mercer County, and across New Jersey. Contact Cohen & Riechelson at (609) 528-2596 today to discuss your injury and how we can help you. The consultation is always provided free of charge and one of our attorneys is pleased to review your case and outline all of your options.
Frequent Workplace Injuries During the Winter Season
Slips and Falls
By far the most common winter workplace injuries are slips and falls. Icy sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways are common hazards during the winter season. Snow and ice accumulation make walking dangerous, leading to slip-and-fall accidents. These falls can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and back or spinal cord injuries. In areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, like office building entrances, parking lots, or construction sites, employers must be diligent in removing ice and snow promptly.
Physical Injuries Caused by Snow Removal
Another common injury involves snow removal. Snow removal is a necessary part of New Jersey winter maintenance, but it can also lead to physical injuries. Employees who shovel snow or operate snow removal equipment are at risk for back injuries when bending and twisting while shoveling snow, sprains and strains due to lifting heavy snow or machinery, and overexertion.
Conditions Resulting from Cold Stress
Cold stress is also a danger facing workers in winter. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause severe conditions such as frostbite, hypothermia, and trench foot.
Accidents Caused by Winter Driving Hazards
Driving in winter weather is inherently more dangerous due to icy roads, snow accumulation, and reduced visibility, leading to many more motor vehicle accidents on New Jersey’s roads and in parking lots. Workers who drive trucks, delivery vehicles, or even personal vehicles for work purposes are at an increased risk of accidents during the winter months. Skidding, collisions, and accidents due to poor road conditions are common causes of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and fractures.
Falling Objects, Ice, or Snow
Finally, the accumulation of snow and ice on roofs, overhangs, or trees can lead to falling objects and place workers at risk of injury on the job. Large ice chunks or snow could fall unexpectedly, causing injury to workers below. This is particularly common in industries that involve working outdoors or at elevated heights, like construction, landscaping, or building maintenance.
NJ Employer Winter Safety Guidelines and Legal Obligations
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their workers, particularly in hazardous winter conditions. Some key responsibilities include maintaining safe premises, providing proper equipment, and training employees to conduct their jobs safely in hazardous conditions. Employers must promptly clear snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. This includes salting or sanding surfaces to improve traction. Areas frequently traveled by employees, like entryways or stairwells, must be de-iced regularly and adequately lit to prevent slips and falls. And if workers are exposed to winter conditions, they must be provided with the appropriate gear, like slip-resistant boots, insulated clothes, and safety gear.
In addition to ensuring that employees are properly outfitted, training is essential to ensure workers understand the risks and safe practices in winter conditions. Employees should be trained on proper snow removal techniques, the dangers of cold stress, and how to handle hazardous driving conditions safely.
New Jersey Workers are Entitled to Compensation for Job Injuries in Winter Weather
In New Jersey, workers who are injured on the job are generally eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This includes injuries sustained due to winter weather conditions, such as slips and falls, snow removal accidents, and cold stress-related injuries.
Workers’ compensation provides a range of benefits to those injured at work, including covering medical expenses, lost wages during the injury through temporary disability benefits covering a portion of weekly pay, and long-term disability benefits if applicable.
The Right Way to Handle Winter Workplace Injuries to Obtain Workers’ Compensation in NJ
If you are injured at work, make sure you immediately inform your supervisor or employer about the injury. Timely reporting is crucial for initiating the workers’ compensation process. Get medical treatment as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Delayed treatment can worsen the condition, and it may even hurt your claim. Take photos of the injury, the location of the accident, and any hazards that contributed to it, such as icy patches or snow accumulation. You’d be surprised how important and valuable to your workers’ comp claim and additional personal injury claims documenting the scene of the injury and its conditions can be!
If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact details. Their testimony could be crucial if you need to prove fault or negligence in your third party injury case. The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey involves notifying the employer of the injury, seeking medical treatment, and submitting a claim through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. It’s important to keep detailed records of medical visits, treatments, and any work missed due to the injury. Unfortunately, despite having a justifiable work-related injury, sometimes workers’ compensation claims are denied. This could happen if the employer disputes the cause of the injury or if the claim doesn’t meet certain eligibility requirements. In such cases, workers can appeal the decision, often with the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney.
And crucially, if you have questions about the claims process or filing a workers’ compensation appeal if your claim is denied, it’s wise to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights and maximize your benefits.
Let Cohen & Riechelson Skillfully Assist with Your Winter Workplace Injury Claim in NJ
An experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation law firm can provide invaluable assistance to workers injured in winter workplace accidents. At Cohen & Riechelson, our skilled attorneys will help you navigate the complex process and work tirelessly to ensure you receive all eligible benefits. If your claim is denied, our team is readily equipped to assist with the appeals process.
With extensive experience in workers’ compensation cases involving winter job-related injuries in Beverly, Bordentown, Burlington, Chesterfield, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Eastampton, Edgewater Park, Mount Holly, and throughout Mercer County, Burlington County, and New Jersey, our lawyers will guide you through the challenges surrounding your winter workplace injury with ease and skill, so you can focus on recovering while resting assured that your rights and wellbeing are accounted for. Contact us today at (609) 528-2596 for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
