I've Been Hurt On The Job, Now What?

By Howard Batt
If you're fortunate, you will never see this predicament enter in to your life, but sadly, it happens all too frequently to those who work their entire lives. Your job is your means to pay for your home, your family, and your lifestyle. Not being able to do that job due to an on the job injury is everyone's nightmare.
Realistically in the United States alone, about a tenth of all workers will be injured at some point in their lives. In most cases, the injuries aren't severe and they don't require hospitalization or cause any permanent damage, but in some cases, they do.

When that happens, what do you do first, what steps should you take to assure that you're covered financially and can take good care of your home and family while you are recuperating?

For any on the job injury, your first step is to immediately report that injury. In many cases, the workers around you or your supervisor are going to know that it took place. Still, as soon as you are treated or if you are sent to the hospital, as soon as you get out of the hospital, the first and most important thing that you will do-in fact, are obligated to do is to report your injury so that there is a record of it to be able to work within the New Jersey Workers compensation system and attain any benefits that you may have coming to you.
In New Jersey Workers Compensation, you are responsible to report your injury as quickly as you are able to do so. Secondary to this, is that it will be in your best interests to seek out a legal advocate to find out what your rights and responsibilities are under the laws of New Jersey Workers compensation.
It is a good idea to seek out a legal representative immediately. While it may look to some like an admission of some type or as though you are seeking a way to attain greater benefits, the reality is that New Jersey workers compensation laws are complex and circuitous.

Getting the right advice and knowing what you need to do first and last in the line of things that you are responsible for under the New Jersey workers compensation will assure that you get what you deserve when it comes down to your medical treatment and compensation. Rest assured that the company has attorneys who are working hard on their side. They already know what their responsibilities are and are going to seek to minimize the payments that you have coming, no matter how well deserved you may be. Therefore it is important to balance the scale and have someone working on your behalf to maximize the benefits that you receive.
In many cases, your employer wants nothing more but to do what is right. That is wanting nothing more than to help you to get through the accident that may have taken place. Unfortunately, though, that isn't always the case. In addition on most occasions the decisions as to how you are treated are made by the workers compensation carrier not your employer. You may have to work hard to get what you need to help to keep yourself financially stable while you're out of work. Don't neglect your financial well being. Do as your employer asks and requires that you do, but always get sound legal advice from an expert in workers compensation laws in New Jersey.