Over the years, a lot of effort has gone into ensuring workers are safe in the workplace. While there has been significant progress, work-related accidents still happen, leaving employees worried about their future. The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act was created with these workers in mind.
If you have sustained a work-related injury, you may feel alone and confused. Anthony Carbone, an experienced Secaucus Workers’ Compensation Attorney, is always available to answer any questions you may have and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Common Workplace Injuries
Workers in some industries are at a higher risk of sustaining certain injuries or conditions. For example, if you work in a manufacturing industry, you are more likely to suffer an amputation than someone who works in an art gallery. Similarly, a typist is more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Here are some common workplace injuries and illnesses:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury or paralysis
- Muscle sprains or strains
- Amputations
- Heart disease
Sometimes, a dispute may arise about whether your injuries are work-related and whether you sustained them while in the scope of your duties. If such a dispute is successful, your workers’ compensation claim could be denied. Don’t lose hope; a Secaucus Workers’ Compensation Attorney can help establish your eligibility for benefits.
Is Your Injury Work-Related?
Your employer can deny your workers’ compensation claim on the grounds that your injury is not work-related. Generally, an injury is work-related if you sustained it while in the scope of your work duties or doing something for your employer’s benefit. In most companies, this does not cover injuries sustained while you were on lunch break, at a company retreat, or commuting to and from work.
If you got injured during your work hours but while performing a task outside your job description, you may also be ineligible for benefits. Other common situations where you may be ineligible for workers’ compensation include when:
- Your injury is self-inflicted.
- Your injury was sustained while you were intoxicated.
- You got injured while violating company policy.
- You were injured because you were fighting with a fellow employee.
- Your accident happened during the commission of a crime.
Workers’ Compensation Claim Deadline
New Jersey has a statute of limitations that spells out the time you have to take legal action against the at-fault party for an injury. Similarly, there is a set timeline within which you must report your work injury to your employer and file a worker’s compensation claim. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your eligibility for benefits, even if you meet all the other requirements.
Talk to a Secaucus Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Attorney Anthony Carbone, an experienced Secaucus Workers’ Compensation Attorney, is passionate about defending the rights of workers throughout New Jersey. He has been doing it for over 3 decades and is always available to answer any questions you may have about workers’ compensation.
If you have sustained a work-related injury or illness, attorney Carbone can help you get the compensation or benefits you deserve for your losses. Contact him today at 201-829-3829 to schedule your free initial consultation.
