Getting hurt on the job doesn’t just bring pain. It can shake up your entire life. One moment you’re earning a paycheck and providing for your family; the next, you’re facing doctor visits, mounting bills, and time off work.
If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help injured workers get the care and financial support they need. But the process isn’t always simple.
It’s often frustrating, confusing, and full of roadblocks, especially when benefits are delayed or denied.
This is where a Jersey City workers compensation lawyer can make all the difference. You deserve someone in your corner who knows what you’re going through and can fight to protect your rights every step of the way.
What does a Jersey City workers compensation lawyer do?
A Jersey City workers compensation lawyer helps you get the benefits you’re entitled to—and shields you from delays, denials, and lowball settlements. Here’s what to know:
- Workers’ comp is no-fault: You don’t have to prove your employer was negligent to get benefits.
- Covers most injuries: From falls and crush injuries to repetitive stress and vehicle accidents.
- Benefits include: Medical care, partial wage replacement, and permanent disability compensation.
- Legal help matters when: Your claim is denied, you’re rushed back to work, or you have a lasting injury.
- Multilingual support helps: Language barriers shouldn’t stop you from accessing your rights.
- Working two jobs? Your wage benefits only reflect the injured job, so legal strategy matters.
- Third-party claims: You may also sue if a defective machine or outside contractor caused the injury.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in New Jersey?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical treatment, wage replacement, and other benefits to employees injured at work. In New Jersey, nearly every employer is required to carry this insurance.
You need not prove your employer did anything wrong to receive workers’ comp. The system is no-fault. You are typically eligible for benefits if your injury or illness is work-related. However, employers and insurance carriers don’t always play fair.
They may dispute your claim, reduce your benefits, or push you to return to work before you’re ready.
Common Work Injuries in Jersey City
In a fast-paced city like Jersey City, jobs range from high-rise construction and warehouse labor to public service, education, and healthcare. Every profession carries some level of risk.
Some of the most common workplace injuries we see in Hudson County include:
- Slip and falls on job sites or office premises
- Back and neck injuries from lifting heavy materials
- Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Burns, chemical exposure, and respiratory issues
- Crush injuries from machinery or falling objects
- Vehicle accidents for delivery drivers and transportation workers
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or blunt force
Whether your injury is minor or life-changing, the law entitles you to support. But many workers find that getting proper medical treatment or wage replacement isn’t as straightforward as it should be.
What Benefits Can You Receive Through Workers’ Comp?
If your claim is approved, New Jersey law allows for several types of benefits:
- Medical treatment: All necessary and reasonable medical care related to your injury, paid by your employer’s insurer.
- Temporary total disability: If you miss more than seven days of work, you may receive a portion of your wages (typically 70% of your average weekly wage) until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
- Permanent partial disability: If your injury leads to a lasting impairment, you may qualify for additional payments based on a schedule set by the state.
- Permanent total disability: If you are permanently unable to return to any kind of work, you may receive ongoing wage replacement.
- Death benefits: For families of workers who lost their lives due to job-related injuries or illness, compensation may include funeral costs and ongoing support.
These benefits are your legal right. Yet insurance companies often look for ways to minimize payouts. Having someone on your side who knows how the system works can mean the difference between getting what you need and being left to fend for yourself.
When to Call a Workers Comp Attorney in Jersey City
There are times when hiring a lawyer isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary. Here are some examples:
- Your claim is denied or delayed
- You are not getting the medical treatment you need
- Your doctor says you can return to work, but you don’t feel ready
- You have a pre-existing condition
- You were fired or demoted after reporting your injury
- You were offered a settlement, but you’re unsure if it’s fair
- You have a permanent injury that affects your ability to work
Even if your case seems straightforward, speaking with a Jersey City attorney can give you clarity and peace of mind. Insurance adjusters may act friendly, but they’re not working for you. Your lawyer is.
What to Expect When You Work with a Workers Compensation Lawyer
When you hire an attorney after a work injury, you’re not just hiring someone to fill out forms. You’re hiring someone to fight for your health, your paycheck, and your future.
Here’s what your legal team can do for you:
- Make sure your claim is filed completely and on time
- Communicate directly with the insurance company
- Request hearings or appeals if your benefits are denied
- Help you get appropriate medical care and evaluations
- Evaluate any settlement offers to ensure fairness
- Pursue maximum compensation if you’re permanently injured
Many workers’ comp lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. Their fees are typically a small percentage of any award or settlement.
How Long Do You Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of your injury (or the date you last received compensation or treatment) to file a formal workers’ compensation claim petition.
But you must report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, within 14 days, and no later than 90 days.
Delays can seriously hurt your chances of getting benefits. A workers comp lawyer can help ensure your claim stays on track.
What If a Third Party Caused Your Injury?
While workers’ comp prevents most lawsuits against your employer, you may have a separate personal injury claim if someone else contributed to your injury.
For example:
- A defective machine malfunctions
- A reckless driver crashes into your work vehicle
- A subcontractor’s carelessness causes a fall on a job site
These claims can be filed in addition to workers’ comp and may result in further compensation for pain, suffering, and lost future income. Your lawyer can determine whether a third-party claim applies to your situation.
What Makes a Difference in a Workers Comp Case
Some workers recover smoothly. Others face long, complicated journeys. What makes the difference?
- Timely reporting of the injury
- Consistent medical documentation
- Accurate information in your claim
- Having an experienced legal advocate on your side
Without legal help, many injured workers unknowingly accept low settlements or give up after a denial. Don’t let that be your story.
Choosing the Right Advocate for Your Work Injury
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. – A Jersey City Legal Team That Stands Strong for Workers
When you’re hurt and unsure where to turn, you need a team that listens, takes you seriously, and is ready to fight for your rights. That means more than just legal skill. It means empathy. Dedication. And the strength to stand up to powerful insurance companies and employers.
Our team knows the realities that workers in Jersey City face. Whether you’re a construction worker in Journal Square, a hospital employee near McGinley Square, or a warehouse worker in Greenville, you deserve to be treated with respect and receive the benefits the law promises you.
We believe in communication. We explain your options, help you make decisions, and never leave you in the dark. From day one, we treat your case with the care we would give our own family.
We’re here to lift the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Verdicts and Settlements
$101,000,000 - Construction Accident
To 20 injured workers and the families of four workers who were killed in the collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino Resort in 2003. The case involved multiple defendants, including Tropicana and a number of construction contractors. The parking garage collapsed while it was under construction because rebar was not properly installed, leaving the floors disconnected from the walls. As part of the trial…
$800,000 - Workplace Safety
To an electrician who suffered flash burns when he plugged in a meter to read the electric usage of a shopping mall tenant.
$817,500 - Premise Liability/Workers’ Compensation
Client 63 years old, was in the course of his employment as a driver for Benjamin Moore Paint and was doing his pre-drive inspection of his 18 wheel tractor trailer. It had snowed 8 inches about 3-4 days prior and the temperature had fluctuated above and below freezing, creating a melt, thaw and then refreeze in the parking lot where the tractor trailers were kept. It had…
How Do Language Barriers Affect Workers’ Comp Claims in Multilingual Communities?
In a city like Jersey City, where Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Portuguese are spoken every day, it’s common for workers to be more comfortable speaking a language other than English. But when it comes to reporting an injury, filling out forms, or following instructions from a company doctor, that language gap can cause serious problems.
Many workers hesitate to speak up if they don’t fully understand what’s being asked. Others are afraid they’ll lose their job for making a mistake. Some never file a claim at all because they believe they won’t be understood or treated fairly.
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always offer translations or interpreters upfront. That means essential details can be lost, deadlines can be missed, and injured workers can end up with less than they deserve, or nothing at all.
We’ve seen this happen too many times. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When you work with a legal team that understands your language—or takes the time to make sure you’re truly heard, you’re far more likely to get the care and support you need.
That includes explaining your rights in your preferred language, ensuring doctors understand what you’re experiencing, and protecting you from being taken advantage of.
No one should be shut out of their rights because of a language barrier. If you or a loved one was injured on the job and you’re worried about communicating clearly, you’re not without options.
What Happens If You’re Injured While Working Two Jobs?
In Jersey City and nearby communities, many people rely on multiple jobs to make ends meet. So, what happens if you get injured at one job while still having responsibilities at another?
New Jersey’s workers’ compensation laws focus on the job where the injury occurred. This means your wage replacement is calculated based on the income from that employer alone, not the total income from both jobs.
For workers supporting families or covering high living costs, this can lead to a noticeable drop in income during recovery. There is also the issue of your second job.
If you can still do that work, you might feel pressured to keep going. But returning to any job too soon can delay healing and may even affect your claim. On the other hand, if your injury limits your ability to do either job, your long-term earning capacity could be affected in ways that are hard to measure on paper.
These situations are more common than most people realize, often leading to confusion or frustration. Employers and insurance companies may not fully consider how your injury affects all aspects of your work life. That is why having someone who understands the full picture can make such a difference.
A knowledgeable legal advocate can help ensure you are being treated fairly, both in terms of compensation and in your ability to recover without being pushed into more work than your body can handle.
Legal Solutions Are Just a Call Away
If you were hurt on the job in Jersey City or anywhere in Hudson County, don’t wait and wonder if your benefits will come through. Get answers. Get support. And get someone who will fight for the care and compensation you need.
Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 for a free and confidential consultation. We’re ready when you are.
FAQ: Jersey City Workers’ Compensation Questions
Can I see my own doctor for a work-related injury in New Jersey?
Generally, no. In New Jersey, your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to choose the doctor who will treat your work-related injury. If you seek treatment from your personal physician without prior authorization, the insurance company may refuse to pay for it.
What if I’m an undocumented worker? Do I still qualify for workers’ comp?
Yes. In New Jersey, undocumented workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including medical treatment and wage replacement, just like any other employee. Your immigration status does not disqualify you from receiving help after a job-related injury.
Can I be followed or watched by the insurance company after filing a claim?
Yes, and it happens more often than you might think. Insurance carriers sometimes hire private investigators to conduct surveillance on injured workers. They may watch your home, film you in public places, or monitor your social media accounts.
Is there a difference between workers’ compensation and disability benefits?
Yes. Workers’ compensation is specifically for injuries or illnesses that happen on the job, and it covers medical care, temporary wage loss, and long-term disability related to that injury. State disability benefits, on the other hand, are for non-work-related injuries or conditions.
I am delighted to provide this testimonial for Mr. DiGirolamo. His representation of me during my case was unflagging over its four-year duration. He kept me informed, and prepared for every eventuality as the case progressed.
He understood my fears and pain, and saw to it that Workmans Comp provided support for me until my civil case was settled. He prepared me substantially whenever necessary. I was very grateful for his understanding of the disastrous effect my accident had on every aspect of my life.
He was always supportive and kind personally, and totally professional. He reminded me to be realistic about the eventual outcome, and advised me as to the importance of my demeanor and attitude.
Everyone I came in contact with at the office was polite and helpful, in particular Marisol Suarez, Mr. DiGirolamo’s paralegal assistant. I will always be grateful for the way my case was handled.
We hired Chris DiGirolamo as our attorney after Mike suffered a life changing injury at work. From the time we met Chris we felt we can trust him to work in the best interest for Mike’s needs. Chris is very down to earth and we felt comfortable whenever we met with him. He spoke to us so we always understood what was going on. He never threw around legal jargon that we would not be able to understand. He was always willing to ensure we knew exactly how our case was proceeding. Chris showed humanity in dealing with Mike’s Injuries and understanding of Mike’s unwillingness to accept some of the changes in his life.
Chris’s high level of energy and desire to bring a case to the best possible results were evident from day one. Our case was settled but of court with the help of a mediator and Chris was by our side explaining what was going on every step of the way. His preparation throughout the case was evident as he spoke before the mediator. It was a pleasure to watch. Chris at work and know he was working for us. He is tough and stubborn when necessary. We were also impressed by the respect shown to Chris by the retired judge we worked with as well as other lawyers. Chris was only happy with this case when he knew we had a settlement that we were very impressed with.
