Getting hurt on the job in Bergen County threatens your physical health and disrupts your ability to earn a living. When a sudden accident stops your paychecks, you need a Fort Lee workers’ compensation lawyer to help you pursue medical care, wage benefits, and other support available under New Jersey law.
The attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. handle claim paperwork, address benefit disputes, gather medical evidence, and represent you when the employer or carrier challenges your injury.
Call (201) 585-9111 to learn more about how we can help, or connect with our team online.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. For Your Fort Lee Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Partnering with our law firm means you get relentless representation backed by decades of proven trial experience in Bergen County courts. We handle every complex phase of your recovery strategy, from demanding fair medical evaluations to litigating fierce disputes.
Decades of Fort Lee Experience
Navigating the administrative hurdles of a benefits claim requires attorneys who understand the local legal landscape. We regularly represent injured workers before the Bergen County Workers’ Compensation Court and respond when employers or carriers dispute treatment or benefits.
Record of Significant Results
Our firm has secured substantial recoveries for workers with serious injuries. We recovered $3,600,000 for a golf caddy who suffered severe injuries after falling from the back of a golf cart during a local charity event.
We also secured an $817,500 total disability settlement for a commercial driver who sustained career-ending injuries on the job.
Complete Claim Management
Doctor appointments and legal paperwork can become difficult to manage while you are recovering from a serious injury. We handle communications with the claims administrator and complete the required filings on your behalf.
You can focus on your treatment while we work to protect your medical and wage benefits.
Identifying Every Available Claim
Our Fort Lee workers’ compensation lawyers can also determine whether someone outside your employer contributed to the accident. We investigate whether a contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or another third party could be held responsible in a separate claim.
Call (201) 585-9111 or complete our online form to learn more about how we can help you get the benefits you need.
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.
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.
Who Qualifies for Workers’ Compensation in Fort Lee?
Most full-time and part-time employees can seek New Jersey workers’ compensation benefits when they suffer an injury or illness arising from their work. Coverage generally begins when employment starts, without a minimum length-of-service requirement.
Independent contractors are usually not covered. If you think you were misclassified, our attorneys can review the working relationship and determine whether you qualify as an employee.
How Do You File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in New Jersey?
To pursue New Jersey workers’ compensation benefits, you must report the injury to your employer and, when benefits are disputed, file a formal claim petition with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Filing a formal claim petition asks the Division of Workers’ Compensation to resolve disputes over treatment, wage benefits, or permanent disability. Relying only on an informal request for medical treatment can leave disputes unresolved.
By filing a formal petition under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law, our attorneys require the employer or carrier to respond to the claim and bring contested issues before a workers’ compensation judge.
This process can help address delayed authorizations for specialized care at facilities such as Holy Name Medical Center. A clear medical record helps show how the injury happened, what treatment you need, and whether you have lasting limitations.
Minor strains can develop into more serious Fort Lee workplace injury claims that require ongoing care and careful benefit planning. We organize your medical records and other evidence to connect your condition to your work.
New Jersey workers’ compensation can provide:
- Medical Benefits: Your employer or its carrier generally pays for authorized treatment related to the work injury, including appointments, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Temporary Disability Benefits: If the injury keeps you out of work for more than seven days, you can receive 70% of your average weekly wage, subject to state minimum and maximum rates.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: A lasting loss of function can support permanent partial disability benefits. Workers who remain unable to perform any gainful employment can qualify for permanent total disability benefits.
- Death Benefits: Eligible dependents can receive wage benefits and help with funeral expenses when a worker dies from a job-related injury or illness.
Our attorneys determine which benefits apply, gather the medical evidence needed to support them, and challenge any improper denial or early termination.
Protecting Vulnerable New Jersey Workers With the Second Injury Fund
The Second Injury Fund provides ongoing weekly benefits to workers whose new occupational injury, combined with a pre-existing medical condition, results in total permanent disability. The state legislature designed this specific financial safety net to encourage local businesses to hire individuals who already live with pre-existing disabilities.
Proving your strict legal eligibility for this specialized state fund requires highly technical medical evidence and deep familiarity with complex administrative regulations. Insurers often fight to shift the financial blame onto your prior medical history, arguing the new accident caused no actual permanent harm.
We shut down these bad-faith deflection tactics by demonstrating exactly how the recent workplace incident, combined with your prior condition, left you unable to work.
Strong legal representation ensures your medical files accurately reflect the combined devastating impact of both physical conditions.
A successful application provides tremendous peace of mind and long-term financial support for victims facing catastrophic on-the-job injuries:
- Total Disability Requirement: Your current physical condition must completely prevent you from holding any realistic type of gainful employment in the open labor market.
- Prior Condition Documentation: You must provide medical and other competent evidence establishing that the pre-existing disability existed before the new accident.
- Combined Disability Requirement: The new workplace injury must combine with the pre-existing disability to produce total permanent disability; the latter injury can’t by itself be the sole cause of that total disability.
- Permanent Condition Status: Medical evidence must establish that the combined disability is total and permanent, generally after you have reached MMI.
Can You File a Third-Party Lawsuit After a Work Injury in Bergen County?
A separate personal injury lawsuit can allow an injured worker in Bergen County to pursue damages that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, including pain and suffering, when someone outside the employer caused the accident.
New Jersey law generally prevents employees from suing their employers for ordinary negligence, so workers’ compensation benefits are usually limited to medical treatment, partial wage replacement, and disability benefits.
A third-party lawsuit can hold outside contractors, delivery drivers, property owners, or equipment manufacturers responsible for unsafe conditions. This dual-track strategy often applies in settings like commercial renovations, where several companies work in the same space.
Third-party claims can involve:
- Negligent Independent Contractors: A subcontractor could be responsible for leaving exposed wiring, unsecured scaffolding, or another dangerous job-site condition.
- Careless Equipment Manufacturers: A manufacturer could be liable when defective machinery or equipment causes an amputation or another serious injury.
- Reckless Civilian Motorists: A driver who strikes a road worker or causes a work-related crash can face a separate auto accident claim.
- Irresponsible Property Owners: A commercial landlord is liable if an unsafe staircase, damaged floor, or structural defect injures a visiting worker.
Identifying every responsible company requires a separate investigation into how the accident happened. We photograph the hazard, preserve records, and examine the roles of each contractor, vendor, or manufacturer involved.
Our Fort Lee workers’ comp attorneys can handle your workers’ compensation claim and third-party lawsuit at the same time.
How Do Fort Lee Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Prove an Occupational Disease Claim?
Proving that a chronic illness developed from workplace exposure often requires detailed medical evidence and a clear history of your job duties. Occupational diseases commonly develop over time through repeated exposure to harmful substances, physical stress, or unsafe working conditions.
A Fort Lee workers’ comp lawyer can help trace a respiratory illness, repetitive stress injury, or other condition back to the workplace. We work with occupational health specialists, toxicologists, and other qualified experts when needed to identify the chemicals, movements, or conditions that contributed to your illness.
The employer or carrier could argue that your condition came from age, prior health problems, lifestyle factors, or exposure outside work. We respond by reviewing your medical records, employment history, job duties, and workplace conditions.
Whether you developed carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motion or lung damage from silica dust, our attorneys build a timeline connecting the condition to your work. That evidence can support your claim for medical treatment, wage benefits, and disability compensation.
What Happens if Your New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
A denial doesn’t necessarily end your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Our Bergen County workers’ comp attorneys can file a formal claim petition, gather the medical and employment evidence needed to support your case, and present the dispute before a New Jersey workers’ compensation judge.
The employer or carrier might argue that the injury didn’t happen at work, that you failed to report it properly, or that your condition resulted from an earlier health problem. We review the reason for the denial, obtain medical records, speak with witnesses, and develop evidence connecting the injury to your job.
When necessary, we can also seek temporary disability payments or authorized medical treatment while the broader claim remains pending. At hearings, our attorneys question witnesses, challenge opposing medical opinions, and explain why the available evidence supports your benefits.
Verdicts and Settlements
$300,000 - Fall From Elevated Planking
Settlement in the case of a 62 year old electrician’s helper who died after falling from loose planking at a height of 22 feet in a boiler room at an apartment complex.
$3,200,000 - Fall From Building
A 35 year old iron worker fell from a steel frame building under construction due to the failure of the general contractor to provide a safe workplace, which included supervision for the use of safety equipment and guide wires.
$2,325,000 - Fall Through a Roof
An HVAC worker fell through the opening in a roof. The defense argued the opening was obvious and he should have watched where he was going. We proved that the unprotected opening was an OSHA violation and the worker was entitled to a reasonable coverage to protect him from an inadvertent slip and fall as required by Federal regulations.
FAQ for Fort Lee Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When Should I Hire a Fort Lee Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
Consult a workers’ comp lawyer in Fort Lee when your employer disputes the injury, treatment is delayed, or your wage benefits are denied or stopped. An attorney can handle the filings, gather medical evidence, and protect your claim during disputes.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover an Aggravated Injury in New Jersey?
A pre-existing condition can still be covered when your work caused or worsened the injury. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. uses medical records and physician opinions to show how your condition changed because of your job.
Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
New Jersey law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for claiming workers’ compensation benefits. If you face termination, demotion, or another penalty, our attorneys can review what happened and explain your legal options.
What Happens if My Medical Treatment Is Denied?
Our Fort Lee workers’ compensation attorneys can challenge a denial and ask a judge to address disputed treatment. We gather medical evidence showing why the requested surgery, therapy, testing, or other care is related to your work injury.
Does My Employer Get To Choose My Workers’ Compensation Doctor?
Your employer or its insurance carrier generally has the right to select the authorized treating provider. If that doctor ends treatment too soon or refuses necessary care, we can gather additional medical evidence and bring the dispute before a judge.
Get Help With Your Fort Lee Workers’ Compensation Claim
A workplace injury can disrupt your health, income, and daily life. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can handle disputes over medical treatment, wage benefits, and disability compensation while you focus on your recovery.
Call us at (201) 585-9111, complete our online form, or visit our office at 201 Columbia Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 to discuss your claim. Our attorneys can explain your options and help you pursue the benefits available under New Jersey law.
Fort Lee Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
201 Columbia Ave
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Phone: (201) 585-9111
