Jersey City Factory Worker Injury Lawyers

Factory work keeps the economy moving, yet the pace, machinery, and shift demands can expose employees to real risk. If you were hurt on the job, you likely have urgent questions about medical care, wage replacement, and what to do next. Contact the seasoned Jersey City factory worker injury lawyers here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. for a free initial consultation today.

Common Causes of Factory Worker Injuries

Factory workers are subject to a wide range of potentially dangerous conditions on a daily basis. That said, some of the most common hazards and causes of factory worker injuries that our firm sees are as follows:

• Unguarded or inadequately guarded machinery, such as presses, conveyors, or shears
• Lockout and tagout failures during maintenance
• Forklift and powered industrial truck incidents
• Slip and fall events from wet floors, oil leaks, or other hazards
• Falls from heights while working on ladders
• Overexertion from lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying materials
• Repetitive motion and strain, tied to fast cycle times, awkward postures, or vibration from tools
• Chemical exposures
• Electrical hazards during troubleshooting, cord use, or energized work
• Struck by and struck against injuries from falling objects
• Short staffing
• Inadequate training or rushed onboarding
• Noise exposure

Injuries Sustained By Factory Workers

Industrial injuries range from sudden trauma to conditions that develop over months. Some of the most common injuries that occur in warehouses include the following:

• Lacerations
• Crush injuries
• Fractures of the hand, wrist, arm, ankle, or spine
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Eye injuries
• Burns (chemical, electrical, or thermal)
• Occupational illnesses
• Respiratory conditions
• Psychological trauma

Can I Receive Compensation as an Injured Factory Worker in New Jersey?

Most factory employees in New Jersey are covered by the Workers’ Compensation Act. Coverage is generally no-fault, which means that you do not need to prove that your employer did something wrong. Instead, all you need to prove is that the injury or condition arose out of and in the course of your employment. This applies to sudden accidents and to occupational diseases or repetitive stress injuries that develop over time.

What Should I Do if I’m Injured as a Factory Worker?

After sustaining an on-the-job injury, ensure you report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer or its insurance carrier has the right to direct your medical care, which means they choose the authorized treating physician. If you require emergency care, get it immediately, then notify your employer. If the insurer refuses necessary treatment or delays approvals, a claim petition or motion for medical and temporary benefits can be filed to ask a judge to order care.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

In New Jersey, workers’ compensation covers several types of benefits, including the following:

• Medical benefits: All reasonable and necessary treatment related to the work injury should be paid. If you reach maximum medical improvement and still have symptoms, you may have a claim for permanent benefits.
• Temporary total disability benefits: If the authorized doctor takes you out of work for more than seven days or provides light duty that your employer cannot accommodate, weekly wage replacement is available at a percentage of your average weekly wage, subject to state minimums and maximums that update yearly. Benefits continue while you are under active treatment and not yet at maximum medical improvement.
• Permanent partial disability benefits: If an injury leaves a lasting impairment, you may receive an award based on a schedule for certain body parts or on loss of function for nonscheduled areas. These benefits are paid even if you return to work.
• Permanent total disability benefits: If the injury prevents you from working at all, extended benefits are possible, with periodic evaluations to confirm ongoing disability.
• Death benefits for dependents: If a worker passes away due to a job-related injury or illness, qualified dependents may receive weekly benefits and reasonable funeral expenses within statutory limits.

Importantly, you may also have a third-party claim if someone other than your employer or a coworker caused your injury. A third-party claim can seek additional damages like pain and suffering.

Contact Our New Jersey Factory Worker Injury Lawyers

Don’t face a factory injury alone. If you’ve been injured on the job, please don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable and dedicated Jersey City factory worker injury lawyers here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. for a free initial consultation today.