Nobody wants to get an injury on the job. Depending on your line of work, you could have a high chance of getting an injury or a very low chance. But regardless of the type of work you do, you should know which type of injuries are compensable and which are not. Contacting a New Jersey workers compensation lawyer or a New Jersey workplace injury lawyer from Rossetti & DeVoto, PC, is the first step to understanding what you may be owed based on your injury.

Below, we have outlined the ways in which you can tell whether or not you are eligible for workers’ compensation and should consult a New Jersey workers comp lawyer or a New Jersey workplace injury lawyer to discuss your options.

Available Federal Disability Programs

According to the Department of Labor, there are four major disability programs available to Federal workers who have been injured on the job or who have contracted an occupational disease from working:

• Wage replacement benefits
• Medical treatment
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Other benefits

Separate programs cover Federal Employees, Longshore employees, Energy employees, and Miners who contract Black Lung. For more information on these programs and whether or not you are eligible, visit the Department of Labor website.

If you are a federal employee who has been injured on the job and believe that you may qualify for one of the programs listed above because you lost wages or have medical bills that are a direct result of your injury, contact a New Jersey workers comp lawyer or a New Jersey workplace injury lawyer to talk about your next steps.

Available State Disability Programs and contacting New Jersey Workplace Injury Lawyer ASAP

However, if the federal government is not your employer, you must go through their state laws for workers’ compensation. This includes workers at private companies or those who work for state and local governments. For New Jersey, workers’ compensation is overseen by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. They have a page on their website talking about what to do if you are injured on the job. There are also benefits if a loved one has died as a result of their job.

In the event of injury, you can receive:

• Medical Benefits
• Temporary and Permanent Wage Loss Benefits
• Permanent Disability Benefits

If you or a loved one got an injury while working, you likely qualify for compensation based on medical bills or lost wages. In fact, workers’ Compensation is a “no fault” system. So, getting an injury at work is the most important factor in receiving benefits, not whether you or someone else was at fault. As a first step, you should report any workplace accident to your work supervisor immediately. This way, there is a record of you getting an injury on the job. And, necessary medical treatment is obtainable.

You should contact a New Jersey workers comp lawyer and New Jersey workplace injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation to talk about what you should do next. In fact, you may not receive your full benefits if you do not fill out a timely Claim Petition. In addition, employers have the right to select the physician who examines an injured worker. Otherwise, you may not receive compensation for the medical bills.

Can I sue my Employer or anyone else for my Injuries at Work?

In most states, you cannot sue your employer or a co-employee for injuries on the job. Except for making a claim for the benefits we described above. However, someone other than your employer or a co-employee can cause many workplace injuries. For example, many injuries in the workplace occur with the use of equipment such Cranes, Forklifts, Tools, and Machinery. An employee may sue the manufacturer of such equipment if the defect and faulty equipment caused the injury.

Similarly, persons and companies who are not the injured worker’s direct employer, such as general contractors or construction managers, often cause injuries on construction sites. In cases where you are hurt on the job and someone other than your employer caused the injury, you may make a claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits. And, you may file a lawsuit against the wrongdoer. Keep in mind, that the case you bring against the non-employer wrongdoer is not a “no fault” case. This means that in order for you to win, you must prove their fault.

Consult a New Jersey Workplace Injury Lawyer Today

Rossetti & DeVoto is an experienced personal injury firm that has lawyers available to handle your New Jersey workplace injury case if you have been injured on the job. Contact us today for a free consultation by visiting us online or calling 856-475-8261.