Workers’ Compensation: What Types of Injured Workers Are Covered?
Experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Skillfully Advocate For Workers
When you have been injured on the job, there are many immediate concerns, including: what happens if you cannot work? How you will pay the medical bills for your injury? Are you eligible to receive workers’ compensation? New Jersey’s workers compensation program is designed to protect the employee and employer when an employee has been injured on the job. While the workers’ compensation program is comprehensive, receiving benefits is not always an easy task. The experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys at Lomurro Munson LLC skillfully advocate for employees that have been injured at work, successfully securing the compensation they deserve.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to injured workers, including reasonable and necessary medical care, temporary disability benefits, and – when warranted – an award for permanent disability. Workers’ compensation laws were established to provide protection for workers and, as such, the compensation is “no fault” — benefits are available to those who qualify regardless of who is to blame for the injury. In return, employers are protected from expensive lawsuits. All states – with the exception of Texas – have mandatory workers’ compensation laws. In New Jersey, all private employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees.
What Types Of Employees Are Covered By Workers’ Compensation?
For the most part, workers’ compensation law covers every employee who performs services for wages, regardless of the number of workers the employer has employed. This includes – but is not limited to – the following types of workers:
- Medical and health care workers
- Public employees
- Industrial workers
- Manufacturing employees
- Warehouse employees
- Stock and inventory workers
- Farmer workers
- Domestic workers
- Truck drivers
- Oil miners
- Natural gas miners
The following types of workers are covered under federal workers’ compensation law:
- Seamen
- Maritime workers
- Railroad workers
- Federal employees
In New Jersey, workers that are considered to be independent contractors, rather than employees, are not covered. The New Jersey courts use methods to determine whether an employment relationship exists. With the “control test”, if the business retains the right to supervise the worker, control what work is performed and how it is performed, then that is considered employment. Under the “relative nature of the work test,” if a worker depends upon income from the business and the work performed is an essential part of the business’ activities, then that is considered employment.
Contact Leading New Jersey Workers’ Comp Lawyers And Protect Your Rights Under The Law
When you have been injured at work, it is important to understand the protections provided by workers’ compensation law and to have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney by your side. The skilled workers’ comp attorneys at Lomurro Munson LLC have successfully represented New Jersey workers for more than 130 combined years; contact a member of our team today at 732-482-9285 or online to arrange a confidential consultation to discuss your case.