Getting hurt at work can leave you with more questions than answers. Who pays your medical bills? Can your employer fire you for filing a claim? What happens if your treatment is denied? How long do you have to file a claim?

These are some of the most common questions injured workers ask after a workplace accident. Understanding your rights early can help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions throughout the workers' compensation process.

If you were injured at work anywhere in New Jersey, don't guess about your rights. Contact Khorozian Law Group today at (201) 944-9200 for a free consultation. The sooner you understand your options, the better protected your claim may be.

This guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions based on information published by the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, along with practical insights from a legal perspective. It is intended as general information and should not be considered legal advice.

Helpful Resources:

• New Jersey Workers' Compensation
• Workplace Accidents
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1. What Should I Do Immediately After a Workplace Injury?

One of the biggest mistakes injured workers make is waiting to report the accident.

Even if your injury seems minor, report it to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible. Prompt reporting helps document what happened and reduces the likelihood of disputes later.

You should also seek medical treatment through the doctor authorized by your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier whenever possible.

If your injury is an emergency, seek immediate medical attention first.

2. Do I Have to Report My Injury Right Away?

Yes.

Although every situation is different, reporting your injury promptly is one of the best ways to protect your workers' compensation claim.

Waiting days—or even weeks—to notify your employer can make it easier for the insurance company to question when or how the injury occurred.

Whenever possible:

• Notify your employer immediately.
• Keep copies of any incident reports.
• Save emails or text messages reporting the injury.
• Write down the names of any witnesses.

Good documentation often prevents unnecessary disputes later.

3. Who Pays My Medical Bills?

If your injury is covered by New Jersey workers' compensation, authorized medical treatment is generally paid by your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier.

This may include:

• Emergency care
• Doctor visits
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Diagnostic testing
• Prescription medication
• Necessary medical equipment

However, workers should understand that the insurance carrier generally has the right to authorize treatment and select the treating physician.

4. Can I Choose My Own Doctor?

Usually, no.

Unlike many health insurance plans, New Jersey workers' compensation generally allows the employer or insurance carrier to choose the authorized treating physician.

If you seek treatment with your own doctor without authorization, those medical bills may not be covered unless special circumstances exist.

If you're unsure whether your treatment has been properly authorized, it's often worth asking questions before scheduling appointments.

5. Will I Get Paid If I Cannot Work?

Possibly.

If your authorized treating physician determines that you cannot work because of your workplace injury, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits.

These wage replacement benefits are intended to help replace a portion of your lost income while you recover.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including:

• Your medical condition
• Your work restrictions
• Whether your doctor has taken you completely out of work
• Approval through the workers' compensation process

6. What Benefits Are Available Through New Jersey Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation provides more than just medical treatment.

Depending on your situation, benefits may include:

• Medical treatment
• Temporary disability benefits
• Permanent partial disability benefits
• Permanent total disability benefits
• Death benefits for eligible dependents

The benefits available depend on the severity of the injury and how it affects your ability to work.

7. Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim?

Many injured workers worry about this.

Simply filing a workers' compensation claim doesnot automatically give an employer the right to terminate you.

New Jersey law provides protections for injured workers, and employers generally cannot retaliate against employees simply because they exercised their legal rights.

However, every employment situation is different. If you believe you were disciplined, demoted, or terminated because you reported a workplace injury or filed a workers' compensation claim, you should seek legal guidance as soon as possible.

8. What Happens If My Employer Refuses to Report My Injury?

Employers are expected to comply with New Jersey workers' compensation laws.

If your employer refuses to report the accident—or tells you not to file a claim—you may still have options.

Do not assume your case is over simply because your employer refuses to cooperate.

Keeping copies of incident reports, photographs, witness information, medical records, and communications with your employer can help protect your claim if a dispute develops.

9. What If My Workers' Compensation Claim Is Denied?

A denial does not necessarily mean you lose your rights.

Claims can be denied for many reasons, including disputes over:

• Whether the injury happened at work
• Medical treatment
• Disability status
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Lack of documentation

Many denied claims continue through the New Jersey workers' compensation system for further review.

10. Do I Need a Workers' Compensation Lawyer?

Not every claim requires an attorney.

However, legal guidance can be extremely valuable if:

• Your claim has been denied.
• Medical treatment has been delayed.
• Surgery has been denied.
• You are not receiving temporary disability benefits.
• Your employer disputes your injury.
• You have suffered a permanent injury.
• You cannot return to work.

An experienced Workers' Compensation Lawyer can explain your rights, communicate with the insurance company, and help protect your interests throughout the process.

11. How Long Do I Have to File a Workers' Compensation Claim?

In many cases, an injured worker hastwo years to file a formal Claim Petition. Depending on the circumstances, that deadline may be measured from the date of the injury or from the last payment of workers' compensation benefits.

Missing important deadlines could affect your ability to recover benefits. If you're unsure how much time remains in your case, it's best to seek guidance as soon as possible.

12. What Happens If I Can't Return to My Job?

Some workplace injuries heal with time, while others may permanently limit a person's ability to perform the same type of work.

If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous position, you may still have legal options depending on your medical condition and work restrictions.

In some situations, injured workers may qualify for permanent disability benefits. Every case is different, and the outcome depends on medical evidence and the facts surrounding the claim.

13. What Is Permanent Partial Disability?

Some work injuries never fully heal.

If you've reached maximum medical improvement but continue to experience permanent limitations, you may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits.

Examples may include:

• Reduced range of motion
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Hand injuries
• Permanent loss of function

These benefits are intended to compensate workers for lasting impairment caused by a work-related injury.

14. What Happens If My Employer Doesn't Have Workers' Compensation Insurance?

Most New Jersey employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

If an employer fails to maintain the required coverage, injured workers may still have options under New Jersey law, including potential assistance through the Uninsured Employers Fund in qualifying situations.

This is one reason it's important not to assume you have no case simply because your employer says there is no insurance.

15. Where Can I Find Reliable Workers' Compensation Information?

The internet is full of conflicting information about workplace injuries.

For reliable information, start with the official New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development Workers' Compensation FAQs and other resources published by the State of New Jersey.

Understanding the basics can help you make informed decisions, but every workers' compensation claim is unique. If you have questions about your specific situation, speaking with an attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive workers' compensation if the accident was my fault?

In many cases, yes. New Jersey's workers' compensation system is generally considered a no-fault system, meaning benefits may be available regardless of who caused the accident, subject to certain legal exceptions.

Can workers' compensation pay for physical therapy?

If physical therapy is authorized as part of your treatment plan, it is generally covered through the workers' compensation claim.

What if my employer says I have to use my own health insurance?

Workers' compensation claims are handled differently than ordinary health insurance claims. If your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment, workers' compensation may be responsible for authorized treatment.

Should I accept the insurance company's first decision?

Not necessarily.

If benefits, treatment, or wage replacement have been denied, you may have options to challenge that decision through the New Jersey workers' compensation system.

Don't Wait to Learn Your Rights

Recovering from a workplace injury is difficult enough without having to navigate confusing paperwork, insurance issues, and questions about your future.

Knowing your rights early can help you avoid unnecessary delays and protect the benefits you may be entitled to receive.

📞 If You Were Injured at Work in New Jersey, We're Here to Help.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, you may have questions about medical treatment, lost wages, denied claims, or your legal rights. Every case is different, and getting reliable guidance early can make a difference.

Call Khorozian Law Group today at (201) 944-9200 or contact us through our online contact form for a FREE consultation. There are no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Hablamos Español. Si usted o un ser querido sufrió una lesión en un accidente laboral en Nueva Jersey, llame hoy a Khorozian Law Group al (201) 944-9200 o contáctenos mediante nuestro formulario en línea para una consulta GRATUITA. No cobramos honorarios de abogados a menos que obtengamos una compensación para usted.