Being injured at work can lead to many problems, physically, financially and emotionally. Not only will you probably experience a significant amount of pain and suffering during your path to recovery, but you’ll also need to pay for medical services, and you’ll need to take time off work while you heal. Worrying about money can also lead those injured to deal with stress and anxiety.
Luckily, the majority of workers in New Jersey are protected by workers’ compensation. If they are successful in filing a claim, they can gain compensation for their medical bills, will receive rehabilitation benefits if they become disabled, and they’ll be able to gain back a portion of their lost wages. The following is an overview of how the law works in New Jersey regarding lost wages.
Temporary disability benefits
You will only be eligible to receive benefits for the loss of wages f you are unable to work due to your injury for a period of more than seven days. After these seven days, you will be eligible to receive temporary disability benefits at a rate of 70% of your average weekly wage. A worker will stop receiving these benefits when they return to work or when their condition has reached maximum medical improvement.
Permanent disability benefits
If you become permanently disabled as a result of the injury and you’re unable to work, you’ll be able to file for permanent disability benefits in the long term.
It’s important that you take early action to begin the workers’ compensation process so that you get compensated as quickly as possible.