Workers Comp Attorney Northern New JerseyWorkers Comp Attorney Northern New Jersey Trusts for Non-Accidents

Every year, many Americans are injured on the job. Some of these employees are injured in workplace accidents; they fall off a ladder or scaffolding, they are hurt by a piece of machinery, they slip on a wet workroom floor, or they are involved in some kind of motor vehicle accident. These are the type of incidents most people think about when they imagine workers compensation claims. However, not every workers comp attorney in Northern New Jersey starts with an accident. In fact, there are two very common types of ailments that, if work-related, may be eligible for workers compensation benefits that do not involve accidents at all: illnesses and repetitive stress injuries.

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Work-Related Illnesses in Workers Compensation Claims

You may be exposed to many hazards while on the job, including exposure to fumes, toxic substances, and otherwise harmful materials that can make you sick. For example, most people are familiar with asbestos, the dangerous material that can cause mesothelioma. If were are exposed to asbestos at work and suffer from a respiratory disease as a result, your employer’s workers compensation benefit program will likely cover this. In addition to well-known dangers such as asbestos, you may also be exposed to lesser known substances: toxic fumes or mold, dangerous chemicals, or even types of dust that could accumulate in your body. These substances may cause a host of problems including respiratory issues, recurring headaches, vision problems, rashes, and itching, among others. These illnesses can be life-altering and can require significant medical intervention to treat.

Repetitive Stress Injuries in Workers Compensation Claims

Other non-accident ailments that may be covered under your employer’s workers compensation policy are work-related injuries that develop over time. Some people may refer to these injuries  as cumulative injuries or repetitive use injuries. These injuries are often caused by moving your body in the same way over and over again. Common injuries in this category include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, back problems, knee and other joint problems, and even neck and spinal problems. These are serious conditions that can require surgery, therapy, and other medical treatment to repair. Although perhaps less discussed, workplace illnesses and repetitive stress injuries may be even more common than injuries related to workplace accidents. These illnesses and injuries, however, still cause significant hardship for employees and can require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Treatment and recovery can cause employees to miss work over a period of weeks, months, or even years. Some illnesses and injuries may be so severe that employees cannot return to the same line of work without risking even more damage to their health. In very severe cases, an injury might ultimately result in permanent disability or death.

Do You Have a Permanent or Temporary Injury?

Following an on the job injury, your workers’ comp attorney in Northern New Jersey will need to review your case in full detail to determine the extent of your injuries. One of the first questions asked will be regarding whether your injury is temporary or permanent. If your injury is only temporary and it is foreseeable that you will go back to work once you’ve recovered, the compensation accrued to you will likely be less than if your injury had been permanent. Bear in mind, that it is possible to suffer a permanent injury which does not prevent you from working, but no longer allows you to do the same job. If this can be proven, a Northern New Jersey workers’ comp attorney may help you to recover the lost compensation from the position you can no longer perform.  If you are covered by workers’ compensation, there may be different levels of benefits available to you. As a workers’ comp attorney in Northern New Jersey might explain to you, if your injury is permanent, it is possible that the workers’ comp will not be enough to compensate you. Should this be true, you may have to determine whether or not there are other options. 

There Will Likely Be At Least One Way to Recover Damages, Let a Lawyer Help You

The path you take towards recovering your damages will largely be based upon the above information, in addition to mitigating factors. Even though the procedure of recovering workers’ comp is similar, it is not the same for everyone. What you should understand now, is that there is usually at least one option available. It is a matter of finding that one for you. This is where it can help to have a workers’ comp attorney in Northern New Jersey on your side. 

The Impact of a Workplace Injury

In addition to medical bills and losing the ability to work, a workplace injury can impact your life in a number of other ways. Often, people feel that they lose a sense of purpose. Apart from the physical pain and suffering, we, at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C., have helped clients suffering from:
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Relationship Problems
  • Diminished Quality of Life
As a leading workers’ comp attorney Northern New Jersey has to offer, we believe consequences such as those listed above can be as significant as the financial losses, and they should be considered in the damages you recover. Our law firm will take into consideration the entire impact of your workplace injury, and not only you financial losses, such as:
  • Medical Care
  • Future Medical Care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Training
  • In-Home Medical Equipment
  • Travel Expenses
  • Lost Wages
  • Loss of Income
We believe whenever a worker is injured on the job, they should be compensated for every loss, including permanent, temporary, economic, and non economic. Let us review your case to determine what you have lost.  Call a workers’ comp attorney in Northern New Jersey now. 

Workers Comp Attorney Northern New Jersey Relies On Discusses Types of Workers Compensation Benefits

If you have been injured while a work, you may be entitled to workers compensation. There are a variety of benefits that employees can receive from workers compensation that are consistent throughout different states. In most states, workers compensation will provide disability benefits, medical coverage, rehabilitation, and even death benefits. While the benefits remain the same throughout different states, the way the benefits are provided does differ. You may want to contact a Northern New Jersey workers comp attorney if you are having to sort out your workers compensation. The workers compensation lawyers at Rispoli & Borneo P.C. will work to help ensure you are fairly compensated for the injury or illness you sustained while working.

Medical Coverage

The most basic piece of workers compensation insurance is medical coverage. This would apply to all medical costs. Costs that would be included are:
  • Doctor visits
  • Hospital care
  • Nursing care
  • Medical diagnostic tests
  • Medications
  • Physical therapy
  • Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or crutches
These benefits would be provided to the employee until they are fully recovered. This medical coverage is most commonly unlimited and does not charge the employee for copays or deductibles.

Disability Coverage

If an employee is receiving disability benefits, they are intended to replace the employee’s wages that they would otherwise lose due to being unable to work from an injury sustained at work. The employee would not receive the full amount of lost wages, but a portion of them. Disabilities are separated into four different categories:
  • Temporary Partial: The disability is short-term and the employee is partially disabled from their injury. An instance of this would be if an employee broke their wrist while working. They would be able to work part-time or do a job that doesn’t require strenuous work until their wrist is better.
  • Temporary Total: When an employee is completely disabled and not able to work at all but the disability is short-term, this is considered a temporary total disability. An example of this time of injury would be if an employee hurts their back and is prohibited from working at all for eight weeks. After the eight weeks, the employee is able to go back to their regular work.
  • Permanent Partial: The ability of an employee to work is partially impaired from a permanent injury. An example of this would be if they lost their hearing.
  • Permanent Total: An employee is injured to the point where they are no longer able to earn income by doing the type of work that was done when the injury took place.

Rehabilitation Coverage

In many states, vocational rehabilitation is provided to employees who are not able to go back to work at their previous job due to a work-related injury. States also provide psychological rehabilitation is there has been a mental injury due to a job-related injury.

Death Coverage

If an employee were to die from an injury at the workplace, the death benefits would be paid to the employee’s spouse, children, or any other dependents. The burial costs of an employee would also be covered.

Contact a Northern New Jersey Workers Comp Attorney Today

It is important if you have been injured at the workplace that you receive proper compensation and coverage. If you do not feel you are being properly cared for after a workplace injury,contact the professionals at Rispoli & Borneo P.C. Our workers compensation attorneys will work on your behalf to try to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation and coverage as possible. We will use our expertise to try and minimize your stress during this difficult time. Contact a workers comp attorney Northern New Jersey trusts from Rispoli & Borneo P.C. today for a free consultation.

Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.

If you believe that you have a work-related illness or repetitive stress injury, or if you have suffered an accident at work, consider calling a work accident attorney at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. With over 20 years of experience pursuing justice for residents in and around Northern New Jersey, the attorneys at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. are ready to provide the competent representation that every hardworking citizen deserves. Contact a workers comp attorney Northern New Jersey workers trust at Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. to schedule an initial consultation, free of charge.