The Workers' Compensation Process

Northern New Jersey Workman's Comp

Few people are prepared for what happens when a serious work-related injury or illness strikes. Fewer still are aware of what their rights are, what they need to do to protect those rights, and what the process of applying for benefits will be like. What many injured workers are left with instead is nothing but a long list of unanswered questions.

If you have become sick or injured as the result of your job— contact the Morristown, New Jersey, law firm of Hoyt & Hoyt, P.C. for answers and a free consultation with an experienced lawyer.

What to Expect

One of the first questions people want an answer to is, "How long will the workers' compensation process take?" Although "how long it takes" can vary greatly from one individual case to the next, generally speaking the process will take about nine months from the time you are first diagnosed with an illness or begin receiving medical treatment for your workplace injury.

The process itself begins once you report an injury or illness to your employer. After your employer files their report (required by law), you can begin collecting benefits once you have missed seven working days because of your injury or condition. In some cases, your employer, their workers' compensation insurer, and the insurance company doctor they sent you to may choose not to dispute your claim and begin paying the medical expenses and partial wages you are entitled to. However, this is the exception rather than the rule and even if they do agree start paying you now—they can stop at any time unless you go through the official process and secure an award.

The first step to protecting these benefits is to file a claim for an informal hearing or a formal petition claim with the New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation. Your case will then be heard by an administrative law judge who will rule on whether or not you are entitled to receive benefits. If the judge sides with you, a court order mandating that your employer or their comp carrier begin paying you benefits will be issued. If the ruling goes against you, filing an appeal will be the next and final step.

Experienced Attorneys for the Seriously Injured — Call
(973) 813-7668 or (866) 558-7903

If you would like to discuss your workers' comp application or are seeking new legal representation to handle your workers' compensation appeal—contact Hoyt & Hoyt today for a free consultation.