Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in New Jersey
If you get hurt in the workplace, filing a workers’ compensation claim could provide you with the financial recovery you need to move forward. The type of benefits available through the workers’ compensation program in New Jersey can pay for your medical costs, lost wages, and more. You may need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in New Jersey to maximize your payout.
Medical Benefits
The New Jersey workers’ compensation system is designed to protect injured workers and their families from financial hardship by paying for work-injury-related costs. Virtually all employees in New Jersey are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, and benefits are made available without requiring proof of fault.
Workers’ compensation will pay for all necessary and reasonable medical care required to treat the injured worker. This can include doctor’s appointments, travel to specialists, hospital stays, emergency care, treatments, surgeries, prescriptions, medical devices, therapy and rehabilitation. It can pay for 100 percent of existing medical bills as well as future foreseeable health care.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Some workplace injuries in New Jersey are serious enough to qualify the victim for disability benefits. Temporary total disability (TTD) is available for workers who are diagnosed with injuries that will disable them entirely for a period of more than seven days.
Disability benefits are paid weekly and are limited to 75 percent of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) of all workers, which was $1,545.60 as of 2023. There is also a minimum amount of 20 percent of the SAWW. TTD benefits are only available if the victim is unable to work and actively undergoing medical care.
TTD benefits are paid at a rate of 70 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage, but they are capped at $1,159 as of 2025, with a minimum amount of $309. TTD benefits typically last until the worker can return to work at full or partial capacity, or until the victim reaches the point of maximum medical improvement.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
If a total disability is permanent, meaning the injury cannot be resolved or reversed with medical care, permanent total disability (PTD) benefits can be awarded through workers’ compensation. PTD is available if the disability completely prevents the worker from returning to gainful employment. These benefits initially last for 450 weeks, but can become indefinite if it is proven that the injury is permanent.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
A permanent partial disability (PPD) can qualify a worker for weekly benefits that are calculated based on the level of disability. This is determined through “scheduled” and “non-scheduled” losses. A “scheduled” loss specifically affects the worker’s extremities, eyes, ears or teeth. A “non-scheduled” loss refers to a disability involving any area of the body that is not specifically identified in the schedule.
Death Benefits
In tragic cases where a worker dies from an on-the-job injury or illness, death benefits are available through the state’s workers’ compensation system. These benefits can be paid out to the deceased worker’s beneficiaries, such as a spouse or children. Death benefit values equate to 70 percent of the worker’s weekly wages, plus up to $3,500 for funeral expenses.
If you are wondering how much you could potentially receive for your specific workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey or need help filing your claim, contact the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. for a free case review.