If you have been injured on the job in New Jersey, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with your injury. Here is an overview of the five types of workers’ compensation benefits available in New Jersey.

Medical Benefits:

Medical benefits are intended to cover all necessary medical care related to your injury. This includes doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, medications, physical therapy, and any other medical treatments deemed necessary by your doctor. It also includes mileage and transportation costs associated with seeking medical care if they are more than two miles from your home or place of work.

Temporary Disability Benefits:

If you are unable to work due to your injury, you may be eligible for temporary disability benefits. These are calculated using a formula based on three-fourths of the average weekly wage that was paid during the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury or illness. The maximum amount for temporary disability benefits is currently set at $887 per week for injuries occurring after July 1st 2019.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits:

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are available if an injured worker has not fully recovered from their injury but can still perform some type of work albeit at a reduced capacity or rate of pay. A PPD award is based on the difference between what a worker could earn before their injury and what they can earn after their injury due to their diminished capacity.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits:

Permanent total disability (PTD) awards are available if an injured worker cannot return to work due to their injury or illness and will likely never be able to re-enter the workforce again. PTD awards are calculated using a formula based on 66 2/3% of an injured worker’s average weekly wage prior to their injury or illness and can range anywhere from $600 per week up to $1,129 per week as determined by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).

Death Benefits:

In case where an employee loses his or her life as a result of a workplace accident or illness, death benefit payments may be awarded in order to provide financial support for surviving family members. The amount of this benefit varies depending upon whether there is a surviving spouse or dependent children involved; however, it is capped at $564 per week regardless of how many dependents there may be.

Workers’ compensation claims:

Workers’ Compensation claims can often seem overwhelming; however, understanding what types of benefits you may be entitled to can make navigating this process much easier. Knowing about these five types of workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey—medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, permanent total disability benefits, and death benefits—can help ensure that you receive all the financial assistance you need while recovering from your workplace injury or illness.