Some workers hurt in workplace accidents never fully recover and are left with long-term and permanent workplace injuries. Under the state’s workers’ compensation system, these workers are eligible for permanent disability benefits. Employers and insurance companies may challenge their claim. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Shebell & Shebell, LLC can help. Our office is located in Shrewsbury.
Workers who suffer a long-term or permanent injury are generally eligible to receive:
- Permanent Partial Benefits – The worker has been left with a permanent disability. Benefits are based on the loss of function.
- Permanent Total Benefits – The worker is left unable to hold down any type of employment. These workers are eligible for benefits equal to 70 percent of their average weekly pay, running initially for 450 weeks. After that time, workers must prove they are still suffering from the injury.
If you’ve been left with a long-term or permanent injury, employers and insurance companies may dispute your claim. They may challenge the extent of your injury and argue that you are still able to work. They may send you for an independent medical examination (IME) conducted by a doctor that they choose.
Attorneys Who Fight The Insurance Companies For You
Doctors who are paid by insurance companies may not have your best interests in mind. Insurance companies know how to work the system to their advantage, and they have lawyers working on their behalf. That’s why you need an experienced permanent or long-term disability lawyer who will fight for your rights.
Our firm has been helping injured workers in New Jersey for generations. We know the laws. Our attorneys know how the system works here. We know how to gather evidence to build strong cases to convince judges at the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation that you deserve permanent disability benefits.
Under the law, insurance companies get to choose which doctors treat your injury. We can arrange for you to be examined by a reputable doctor or specialist for a second opinion. We gather evidence, talk to witnesses and consult experts. We set out to prove that you were injured in a work-related accident that has left you unable to continue into your current position.
We Don’t Quit Until You Get Results
If you were injured at work, you may not know what to do next. You probably have a lot of questions. “What long-term injury or impairment benefits can I get?” “What if I have a long-term workplace illness?” “How is permanent disability calculated?” Our attorneys can help you get answers.
We are determined to help you get the permanent disability benefits you deserve. This can take time, as your claim works its way through the appeals process. We are ready to fight for you in court, if that’s what it takes. Many times, we can resolve claims through a negotiated settlement with the insurance company.
If you were injured in a workplace accident, it’s important to talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. It may take time for doctors to determine you have reached maximum medical improvement and will be left with a long-term or permanent injury. We can start work on your claim to help move it forward.
Learn more about how one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We can review the details of your claim and explain what to expect during the claims process.