Jersey City Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyers

Healthcare workers take care of everyone else, often in fast-moving environments where risks are real and constant. That said, when an injury happens on the job, healthcare workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The seasoned healthcare worker injury lawyers here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. help nurses, techs, CNAs, therapists, and other professionals in Jersey City pursue the full benefits the law provides. If you need a team of experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in your corner, simply contact us for an initial consultation today.

Common Causes of Healthcare Worker Injuries

Healthcare workers can sustain serious injuries in a wide range of circumstances, but some of the most common are as follows:

• Patient handling incidents, such as lifting, repositioning or catching a falling patient
• Slips, trips and falls on wet floors
• Violence by patients or visitors, such as pushing, grabbing, or striking
• Respiratory exposures
• Chemical exposures
• Vehicle and transport injuries
• Infectious disease exposures

Injuries Sustained By Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers can sustain a wide range of injuries, including the following:

• Lumbar strains and other back injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Knee injuries
• Concussions and other head injuries caused by falls or assaults
• Fractures or crush injuries from equipment or lift failures
• Psychological injuries tied to workplace violence or traumatic events

When Healthcare Workers May Have a Workers’ Compensation Case

A valid workers’ compensation case generally exists when your injury or illness arises out of and in the course of employment; you don’t have to prove that your employer did anything wrong, only that the condition is work-related.

If you are unable to work for more than seven days, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits while you receive active medical care. These wage benefits are paid at 70% of your average weekly wage, subject to the statewide maximum and minimum that change each year.

To protect your claim, you should report the injury or exposure promptly, and ask your employer to authorize medical treatment and follow through with designated providers.

If treatment or wage benefits are delayed or denied, you may file a Motion for Medical and Temporary Benefits or a formal Claim Petition in the Division of Workers’ Compensation to request a court order for care and payments. The Division can list urgent motions for hearing on an expedited basis, and an insurer must respond within strict timelines.

Occupational disease claims are also common in healthcare. If you develop a condition, such as a bloodborne illness after a documented needle stick or a respiratory illness linked to workplace exposures, you can file even if there was no single accident. Importantly, the filing deadline for occupational claims runs from when you first became aware the disease was related to your job, not necessarily when symptoms started.

Damages Covered By Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation pays specific categories of benefits in New Jersey. First, all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for the work injury is covered, and the employer or insurer typically selects the authorized doctors. If specialized care is needed and is not provided, a judge can order treatment.

Second, temporary total disability benefits can replace a portion of lost wages while you are unable to work and under active treatment. The rate is 70% of your average weekly wage. There is a seven-day waiting period, and benefits can continue until you reach maximum medical improvement or return to work, up to the statutory limit on weeks.

Third, if you have lasting limitations after treatment, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits based on a medical percentage of disability to the affected body part, or permanent total disability when injuries prevent you from returning to any gainful work.

Fourth, if a work injury or illness results in death, dependents may receive death benefits and a funeral allowance. Death benefits are paid at 70% of the worker’s wages, and reasonable funeral expenses are reimbursed up to the statutory cap.

Finally, disputes can be resolved formally or informally. Many cases settle after authorized care is complete, either as an Order Approving Settlement with an award for permanent disability or, in certain circumstances, as a Section 20 dismissal with a lump sum when there is a bona fide dispute.

Contact Our New Jersey Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyers

The bottom line is that if you were hurt while working in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, rehab facility, or in-home care anywhere in New Jersey, our seasoned healthcare worker injury lawyers are here to help you secure the benefits you deserve and need. Contact Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. for a free initial consultation today.