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AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO - New JerseyDevelopment. These benefits are provided until the worker has returned to work, has reached maximum medical improvement, or has reached the statutory

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Page 1: AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO - New JerseyDevelopment. These benefits are provided until the worker has returned to work, has reached maximum medical improvement, or has reached the statutory
Page 2: AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO - New JerseyDevelopment. These benefits are provided until the worker has returned to work, has reached maximum medical improvement, or has reached the statutory

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AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TOWORKERS’ COMPENSATION

IN NEW JERSEY

I. WHAT IS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION? ................................ 2

II. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS ................................ 3

III. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ................................................... 4• Types of Coverage• Definitionof“Employee”• ObtainingWorkers’CompensationCoverage• InsurancePremiumRates• WhataWorkers’CompensationPolicyCovers• PenaltiesforFailuretoInsure

IV. BEFORE AN INJURY OCCURS .................................................... 9• PostingNotice• EstablishClearProceduresforEmployeesandManagers

V. REPORTING WORK ACCIDENTS AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES ......................................... 10

VI. HOW TO REDUCE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COSTS .............................11

• EstablishaSafetyProgram• EstablishReturn-to-WorkPrograms• EstablishandMaintainGoodCommunicationwithYourInjuredEmployees• EnsurePromptTreatmentfromtheRightMedicalProviders

VII. CLAIM PETITIONS IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ...... 13

VIII. WHAT ELSE DOES AN EMPLOYER NEED TO KNOW? ..... 14• DiscriminationComplaints• SecondInjuryFund• Workers’CompensationWebsite• ContactsforQuestions

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I. WHAT IS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

Workers’compensationisa“nofault”insuranceprogramthatprovidesmedicaltreatment,wagereplacement,andpermanentdisabilitycompensationtoemployeeswhosufferjob-relatedinjuriesorillnesses.Italsoprovidesdeathbenefitstodependentsofworkerswhohavediedasaresultoftheiremployment.Aninjuredemployeewillreceivebenefitsregardlessofwhowasatfault.Inexchangefortheseguaranteedbenefits,theworkerdoesnothavetherighttobringacivilactionagainsttheemployerforpainandsufferingorotherdamages,exceptincasesofintentionalacts.

TheDivisionofWorkers’CompensationisresponsiblefortheadministrationoftheNewJerseyWorkers’CompensationAct(N.J.S.A.34:15-1et seq.).Thisisaccomplishedby:

• ensuringthatworkersreceivefairandtimelyworkers’compensationbenefitsforwork-relatedinjuriesfromtheiremployersand/orinsurancecarriers;

• enforcingthelawthatrequiresemployerstosecureworkers’compensationinsurancecoveragefromcommercialinsurancecarriersorself-insuranceprograms;

• providingcertainbenefitpaymentstoinjuredworkerswhoaretotallyandpermanentlydisabledasaresultoftheirlastwork-relatedinjurycombinedwiththeworker’spre-existingdisabilities.Thesebenefitscommenceattheconclusionofthepaymentofbenefitsfromtheworker’semployer.

TheDivisionofWorkers’Compensationdoesnothavejurisdictionoverinsurancepremiumratesetting.ThatresponsibilityfallsunderthejurisdictionoftheCompensationRatingandInspectionBureauoftheDepartmentofBankingandInsurance.

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II. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS

Medical Benefits:Necessaryandreasonablemedicaltreatment,prescriptions,andhospitalservicesrelatedtotheworkinjuryarepaidbytheemployer’sinsurancecarrierordirectlybytheemployerifself-insured.Theemployerand/oritsinsurancecarrierhavetherighttodesignatemedicalprovidersforallwork-relatedinjuries.

Temporary Total Benefits:Ifaninjuredworkerisdisabledforaperiodofmorethansevendays,heorshewillbeeligibletoreceivetemporarytotalbenefit,retroactivetothefirstdayoflosttime.Thebenefitwillbepaidatarateof70%oftheworker’saverageweeklywage,nottoexceedthestatutorymaximumrateorfallbelowthestatutoryminimumrateestablishedannuallybytheCommissionerofLaborandWorkforceDevelopment.Thesebenefitsareprovideduntiltheworkerhasreturnedtowork,hasreachedmaximummedicalimprovement,orhasreachedthestatutory400-weekmaximum.

Permanent Partial Benefits:Whenajob-relatedinjuryorillnessresultsinapermanentbodilyimpairment,benefitsarebasedontheindividual’sfunctionalloss.Thesebenefitsarepaidweeklyandaredueafterthedatetemporarydisabilityends.

Permanent Total Benefits:Whenaworkinjuryorillnesspreventsaworkerfromreturningtoanytypeofgainfulemployment,heorshemaybeentitledtoreceivepermanenttotaldisabilitybenefits.Theseweeklybenefitsareprovidedinitiallyforaperiodof450weeks.Benefitscontinuebeyondtheinitial450weeksprovidedthattheinjuredworkerisabletoshowthatheorsheremainstotallydisabled.Thebenefitsarepaidweeklyandarebasedupon70%oftheaverageweeklywage,nottoexceedthestatutorymaximumorfallbelowthestatutoryminimum.

Death Benefits:Dependentsofaworkerwhodiesasaresultofawork-relatedinjuryorillnessmaybeeligibletoreceivedeathbenefitsandfuneralexpensesupto$3,500.Theweeklybenefitsare70%ofthewageofthedeceasedworker,nottoexceedthestatutorymaximum.

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III. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

• TYPES OF COVERAGENewJerseylawrequiresthatallNewJerseyemployersnotcoveredbyfederalprogramshaveworkers’compensationcoverageorbeapprovedforself-insurance.Evenout-of-stateemployersmayneedworkers’compensationcoverageifacontractofemploymentisenteredintoinNewJerseyorifworkisperformedinNewJersey.Coveragemaybeobtainedinoneoftwoways:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance PolicywrittenbyamutualorstockcarrierauthorizedtowriteinsuranceinNewJersey.Premiumsforsuchinsurancearebasedontheclassification(s)oftheworkbeingperformedbyemployees,theclaimsexperienceoftheemployer,andthepayrolloftheemployer.

Self-InsurancethroughapplicationtoandapprovalbytheCommissioneroftheDepartmentofBankingandInsurance.Approvalforself-insuranceisbaseduponthefinancialabilityoftheemployertomeetitsobligationsunderthelawandthepermanenceofthebusiness.Thepostingofsecurityforsuchobligationsmayberequired.

Aself-insuredemployerhastheoptionofadministeringitsownworkers’compensationclaimsorcontractingwithathird-partyadministrator(TPA)toprovidetheseservices.Formoreinformationaboutself-insurance,pleaserefertoN.J.S.A.34:15-77oftheNewJerseyWorkers’CompensationstatuteorcontacttheDepartmentofBankingandInsuranceat(609)292-5350, ext.50099.

Note:Governmentalagenciesarerequiredtoprovideworkers’compensationbenefitstotheiremployeesbutarenotrequiredtopurchaseinsuranceorreceiveapprovalasaself-insurer.Theygenerallyeither1)obtainaninsurancepolicy,2)participateinaninsurancepool,or3)maintainaseparateappropriationforworkers’compensation.

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The following employing entities must have workers’ compensation insurance in effect:

Corporations –AllcorporationsoperatinginNewJerseymustmaintainworkers’compensationinsuranceorbeapprovedforself-insurancesolongasanyoneormoreindividuals,including corporate officers, performservicesforthecorporationforprior,currentoranticipatedfinancialconsideration.*

Partnerships/LLCs – Allpartnershipsandlimitedliabilitycompanies(LLCs)operatinginNewJerseymustmaintainworkers’compensationinsuranceorbeapprovedforself-insurancesolongasanyoneormoreindividuals,excluding partners or members of the LLC, performservicesforthepartnershiporLLCforprior,currentoranticipatedfinancialconsideration.*

Sole Proprietorship – AllsoleproprietorshipsoperatinginNewJerseymustmaintainworkers’compensationinsuranceorbeapprovedforself-insurancesolongasanyoneormoreindividuals, excluding the principal owner, performsservicesforthebusinessforprior,currentoranticipatedfinancialconsideration.*

*Financialconsiderationmeansanyremunerationforservicesandincludescashorotherremunerationinlieuofcashsuchasproducts,services,sharesoforoptionstobuycorporatestock,mealsorlodging,etc.

• DEFINITION OF “EMPLOYEE”TheNewJerseyWorkers’CompensationActisliberallyinterpretedwithrespecttothedefinitionof“employee”andisbroaderthantheInternalRevenueCodeandUnemploymentCompensationstatute.Avarietyofworkingrelationshipshavebeendeterminedtobethatofanemployer-employee,includingsomethatwouldnotappeartobeatypicalemploymentsituation.Further,acontractorotheragreementastowhetheranindividualisanemployeeisnotbindingindeterminingwhetheranemployee–employersituationispresent.

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NewJerseycourts,indecidingthisissue,havedevelopedtwotests:the“controltest”andthe“relativenatureoftheworktest.”

Underthe“controltest,”therelationshipbetweenabusinessandtheindividualisreviewed.Thereisemploymentifthebusinessretainstherighttosupervisetheindividualandcontrolwhatisdoneaswellashowitshallbedone.

Underthe“relativenatureoftheworktest,”thereisemploymentifanindividualreliesonincomefromthebusinessandtheworkperformedbytheindividualisanintegralpartoftheactivitiesofthebusiness.

Ifanyorbothofthesetestsaremet,anemployee–employerrelationshipisestablished.

• OBTAINING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGETheNewJerseyCompensationRatingandInspectionBureau(NJCRIB),anagencyintheNewJerseyDepartmentofBankingandInsurance,isresponsibleforestablishingandmaintainingregulationsandpremiumratesforworkers’compensationandemployers’liabilityinsurance.

Workers’compensationinsurancecoveragecanbeobtainedfromanyofthemorethan400privatelicensedinsurancecompaniesauthorizedtosellworkers’compensationpoliciesinNewJersey.Apolicycanbepurchaseddirectlyfromaninsurancecarrier,aninsuranceagent,oraninsurancebroker.Forassistancewithobtainingcoverage,pleasecontact:

NewJerseyCompensationRatingandInspectionBureau60ParkPlaceNewark,NJ07102www.njcrib.com(973)622-6014

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• INSURANCE PREMIUM RATESTheprimarydeviceusedtodetermineworkers’compensationinsurancepremiumsistheclassificationsystem,whichgroupsNewJerseybusinessesintovariousclassifications.Thepurposeofthissystemistobringtogether,withineachclassification,employersengagedinthesametypeofbusiness.Accompanyingeachclassificationisaratethatrepresentstheaveragework-injuryexperienceforthatclassification.Thisrateisadjustedannuallyaccordingtothelatestavailablework-injuryexperiencedata.

Itisalsorecognizedthatnotwoemployers,althoughtheymaybeinthesamebusiness,haveexactlythesameoperationsoridenticalconditionsofemployment.Withinanygivenclassification,thereareemployerswithbetter-than-averageworkinjuryexperienceandthosewithworse-than-averageworkinjuryexperience.Toaccountforsuchdifferences,anadditionalrefinementtotheclassificationsystemisofferedthroughanotherprogramknownastheExperienceRatingPlan.Inthisplan,anemployer’sownworkinjuryexperienceisusedtomodifyitspremium,higherorlower,bycomparingittotheaveragework-injuryexperienceofallemployersintheclassificationtowhichtheemployerisassigned.

Formoreinformationonhowratesareestablished,youmaywishtovisitNJCRIB’sWebsite: www.njcrib.com.

• WHAT A WORKERS’ COMPENSATION POLICY COVERSAworkers’compensationpolicycoversthefollowing:

For injured employees:•Reasonablemedicalservicesnecessarytotreatthejobinjuryorillness•Temporarydisabilitybenefitstohelpreplacelostwagesupto statutorymaximum•Permanentdisabilitybenefitstocompensateforthecontinuedeffectsoftheinjury•Burialanddeathbenefitsfordependentsincasesoffatalinjury

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For employers: •Coverageoffinancialliabilitiesforwork-relatedinjuriesandillnesses

•Legalrepresentation

• PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO INSURETheconsequencesforfailuretoprovideworkers’compensationcoveragecanbeverysignificant,evenwithoutawork-relatedinjury.Specifically,thelawprovidesthatfailingtoinsureisadisorderlypersonsoffenseand,ifdeterminedtobeknowing,acrimeofthefourthdegree.Moreover,penaltiesforsuchfailurecanbeassessedupto$5,000forthefirst10dayswithadditionalassessmentsof$5,000foreach10-dayperiodoffailuretoinsurethereafter.Inthecaseofacorporation,liabilityforfailuretoinsurecanextendtothecorporateofficersindividually.Penaltiesassessedforfailuretoinsurearenotdischargeableinbankruptcy.

Whereawork-relatedinjuryordeathhasoccurred,theemployer,includingindividualcorporateofficers,partnersormembersofanLLC,isdirectlyliableformedicalexpenses,temporarydisability,andpermanentdisabilityordependencybenefits.Inadditiontoawardsformedicalexpensesandotherbenefits,NewJerseylawalsoprovidesforcivilpenaltiesagainsttheemployeranditsofficerswherefailuretoinsureisdetermined.Awardsandpenaltiesarisingfromtheseclaimscanbecomeliensagainsttheuninsuredemployeranditsofficers,whicharegenerallyenforceableintheNewJerseySuperiorCourtagainstanyassetsbelongingtotheuninsuredemployeranditsofficers.

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IV. BEFORE AN INJURY OCCURS

• POSTING NOTICENewJerseylawrequireseveryemployertopostandmaintain,inaconspicuousplaceorplacesinandabouttheworksite,aformprescribedbytheCommissioneroftheDepartmentofBankingandInsurance,statingthattheemployerhassecuredworkers’compensationinsurancecoverageorhasqualifiedwiththeDepartmentofBankingandInsuranceasaself-insuredemployer.

Forinsuredemployers,thenoticemustincludethenameoftheinsurancecarrierandotheritemsasrequiredbytheDepartmentofBankingandInsurance.Toobtaincopiesofthisnotice,employersshouldcontacttheirinsurer.

HOW UNINSURED EMPLOYERS ARE IDENTIFIED

Stateemployerrecordsarecompared,or“cross-matched,”withthedatabaseattheDepartmentofBankingandInsurance’sCompensationRatingandInspectionBureau(NJCRIB)onaregularbasistoidentifyuninsuredemployers.

Whenanemployerisidentifiedthroughthiscross-matchasapossiblyuninsuredemployer,aletterandacross-match response formisissued.Mandatoryinsuranceshouldbeimmediatelyobtainedifanemployerisuninsuredandverificationofinsurancemustbeprovided.Penaltiesmaystillbeassessedforfailuretohaveinsuranceatthetimeofthecross-match.

Ifyouareanemployerthathasinsuranceandhasreceivedthisform,youshouldprovidetheinformationrequestedaboutyourworkers’compensationcoverageassoonaspossibletoensurethatpenaltiesarenotimproperlyassessedagainstyou.

Also,ifyouareawareofanuninsuredemployer,youmayprovidethisinformationtotheDivisionofWorkers’Compensationbye-mail([email protected]),bycalling(609)292-0165orbycompletingandsubmittinga“ReportofNon-Compliance”form,availableontheWebsiteoftheDivisionofWorkers’Compensation.Youneednotidentifyyourselfbutyoushouldbepreparedtoprovidethenameandexactaddressoftheemployerand,ifpossible,thenamesoftheprincipleoperatorsofthebusiness.

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• ESTABLISH CLEAR PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS Atthetimeofhireandperiodicallythereafter,employeesshouldbeprovidedthefollowinginformation: •Anexplanationoftheirworkers’compensationcoverageand

benefits •How,when,andtowhomtoreportaninjury •Wheretogoformedicaltreatmentifinjuredwhileworking

TheDivisionofWorkers’Compensationhasageneralbrochureonworkers’compensationavailableforinjuredworkers,called“AWorker’sGuidetoWorkers’Compensation.”Thebrochure,whichcanbedownloadedfordistributiontoemployeesfromthedivision’sWebsite (www.nj.gov/labor/wc),isavailableinEnglishandSpanish.

V. REPORTING WORK ACCIDENTS AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

Everyworkaccidentoroccupationalexposureshouldberecordedonanaccidentreportform.Suchdocumentationshouldpromptanimmediateinvestigation,whichnotonlyassistsindeterminingthecauseoftheaccidentorexposure,butisalsoimportantinthepreventionoffutureaccidents.

Whenanemployerreceivesnoticeaboutawork-relatedaccidentoroccupationalexposure,itshouldnotifyitsinsurancecarrierorthird-partyadministrator(TPA)immediatelysothataFirstReportofInjuryformcanbefiledbythecarrierorTPAwiththestateofNewJersey.Thisform,whichisfiledelectronically,givestheDivisionofWorkers’Compensationinitialinformationabouttheworkaccidentorexposureandanyresultinginjuries.AcopyofthisreportissentbythecarrierorTPAtotheemployerforverificationoftheinformationsubmitted.

Within26weeksaftertheworkerhasreachedmaximummedicalimprovementorhasreturnedtowork,theinsurancecarrierorTPAmustelectronicallyfileasecondreport,calledaSubsequentReportofInjury,withthestate.Informationfromthisreport,includinganexplanationofanybenefitspaidontheclaim,isalsosenttotheinjuredworker.

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VI. HOW TO REDUCE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COSTS

• ESTABLISH A SAFETY PROGRAMThebestwayforanemployertolowerworkers’compensationcostsistopreventinjuriesfromhappeninginthefirstplace.Involveyouremployeesinidentifyinghazardousworkpracticesandpotentiallyharmfulsituations,areas,orequipment.Safetyteamsandcompanyincentivesplayaroleinreducingcosts.Mostimportantly,managementmustbewillingtolistenandputintopracticeappropriaterecommendations.

Manyinsurancecompaniesofferfreeadvicetopolicyholdersabouthowtoestablishandmaintainsafeworkplaces.YoucanalsousetheNewJerseyDepartmentofLaborandWorkforceDevelopment’sfreeOn-SiteConsultationServicetofindoutaboutpotentialhazardsatyourworksitesandimproveyouroccupationalsafetyandhealthmanagementsystems.Informationonthisservicecanbeobtainedbycontacting:

Mail:NewJerseyDepartmentofLaborandWorkforceDevelopment DivisionofPublicSafetyandOccupationalSafetyandHealth P.O.Box953Trenton,NJ08625

Phone:(609)984-0785

Online:nj.gov/labor, thenselectSafety and Health fromtheleftmenubar.

Note:Ifyouareaself-administeredself-insurerorgovernmentalentity,youwillberequiredtofilethesetworeportsdirectlywiththestate.Formoreinformationonhowtofile,pleasevisittheDivisionofWorkers’Compensation’sElectronicDataInterchange(EDI)Webpageat nj.gov/labor/wc, thenselectEmployer/Insurance Carrier Information, then Electronic Accident Reports/EDI.

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• ESTABLISH RETURN-TO-WORK PROGRAMSCreatingreturn-to-workprogramsthatincludeappropriatelight-dutyormodifiedjobscanencourageworkerstoreturntoemploymentsoonerandlowerbusinesscosts.

Inaddition,employerscanpartnerwithmedicalprofessionalsandmanagedcarespecialiststodesignjobsthatwillnotaggravateorre-injureworkerswhohaverecoveredenoughtoreturntowork,butneedadditionaltimebeforeresumingregularduties.Theemployershouldprovideaninjuredworker’sjobdescriptiontohisorhermedicalcareprovider.Suchinformationmayfacilitateearlyreleaseoftheworkertosometypeofmodifiedduty.

Researchershavefoundthatincompaniesofferingreturn-to-workprograms,workersfeltmoresatisfiedwiththecaretheyreceived.

• ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH INJURED EMPLOYEESPre-Injury:Frequentlycommunicateworkers’compensation-relatedinformationtoemployeesinplain,straightforwardlanguage.Publicizecompanyproceduresforjob-relatedinjuriesorillnessesandencourageearlyreportingofsuchinjuries.Letworkersknowwhichdoctorstheymustseeforwork-relatedclaims.Whenworkersreceivepriorcommunicationaboutwhattodowhenawork-relatedinjuryorillnessoccurs,theyaremorelikelytofollowtheemployer’sestablishedprocedures. Whenthesameinformationisreceivedafteraninjuryhasalreadyoccurred,employeereactionandresponsemaybelesspositive.

Post-Injury:Employersshouldactivelybecomeinvolvedineveryworkers’compensationcase.Communicateonaregularbasiswithyouremployeeswhoaredisabledwithworkrelatedinjuries.Thecommunication,whetheritisbytelephoneorinperson,shouldbepositiveandupbeat.

Ifyourcompanyconductsanaccidentinvestigation,keepinmindthatanimportantpurposeofsuchaninvestigationshouldbetodeterminehowtheaccidentoccurredsothatsuchoccurrencescanbepreventedinthefuture.

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Studieshaveshownthatpriorcommunicationandpost-injurydemonstrationsofconcernbytheemployercanresultinhigherlevelsofworkersatisfactionandreducedtimelostfromwork—factorsthatcontributetolowerprogramcosts.

• ENSURE PROMPT TREATMENT FROM THE RIGHT MEDICAL PROVIDERSHelpingtheinjuredworkergetimmediatemedicalattentionpaysoffforbothworkerandemployeronseverallevels.Typically,thesoonerinjuredworkersreceivepropertreatment,thesoonertheymayreturntowork.

UndertheNewJerseyworkers’compensationlaw,theemployerand/oritsinsurancecarrierselectthemedicalproviderstotreatinjuredworkersforwork-relatedinjuries.Suchcontrolofmedicaltreatmentisanimportantemployerrightandobligation.

Whenaworkplaceaccidentoroccupationalexposureoccurs,theinjuredworkershouldbeofferedpromptmedicaltreatment.Employersshouldkeepinmindthatprovidingmedicalcoverageisnotconsideredanadmissionofliability(N.J.S.A.34:15-15).

VII. CLAIM PETITIONS IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Employeeswhoareinjuredonthejobmayfileaworkers’compensationclaimpetitionwiththeNewJerseyDivisionofWorkers’Compensation.Issuesmayincludecompensabilityoftheclaim(whethertheinjury/illnessisconsideredworkrelated),thetypeandextentofmedicaltreatment,and/orthepaymentoftemporarydisabilitybenefits.Further,aclaimpetitionmayseekpermanentdisabilitybenefitsand,incasesofallegedjob-relateddeath,dependencybenefits.Workersaregenerallyrepresentedbyanattorneybuttheymayfileaclaimpetitionontheirown(prose).Aninsurancecarrierwillusuallyprovidealegaldefenseonbehalfofacoveredemployer.Ifyouareaself-insuredcorporation,itisrequiredthatyouoryourthird-partyadministratorobtainlegalrepresentationtodefendyourinterests.

Thevastmajorityofclaimpetitionsaresettledbymutualagreementastotheamountofbenefitsdueandextentofdisability.Incaseswhereanagreementisnotreached,aworkers’compensationjudgewillresolvethedisputedissues.

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Aninsurancecarrier,drawingontheirextensiveknowledgeofthelawandtakingintoconsiderationallthepertinentfactsofthecase,canmakeadecisiontoacceptordenyaclaim.Stayawareofwhetherclaimsareinvestigatedtimely,whetherbenefitsarebeingpaidontime,andwhetherclaimsarebeingdisputedoraccepted.Theemployerplaysakeyroleinworkingwiththecarrierandtheinjuredworkertoensurethatthesystemworkssmoothlyandfairly.

VIII. WHAT ELSE DOES AN EMPLOYER NEED TO KNOW?

• DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTSItisunlawfulforanyemployertodischargeorotherwisediscriminateagainstanemployeebecausetheemployeeclaimedorattemptedtoclaimworkers’compensationbenefitsorbecausetheemployeetestifiedorisabouttotestifyinaworkers’compensationmatter.TheDivisionofWorkers’Compensationisresponsibleforinvestigatingsuchclaims.

• SECOND INJURY FUNDTheSecondInjuryFund(SIF),whichisadministeredbytheDivisionofWorkers’Compensation,makesbenefitpaymentstoinjuredworkerswhoaretotallyandpermanentlydisabledasaresultofwork-relatedinjuriescombinedwithpre-existingdisabilities.

TheSecondInjuryFundwasestablishedtoencourageemployerstohiredisabledworkers.Theemployeronlypaysforthework-relatedaspectofthetotaldisabilityaward.

• DIVISION OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION WEB SITETheDivisionofWorkers’CompensationmaintainsanInternetWebsitethatcontainsthelatestinformationonNewJerseyworkers’compensation,includinglegalandadministrativeprocedures,formsandbrochures,statisticaldata,andprogramdetails.

TheWebaddressishttp://nj.gov/labor/wc/

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• CONTACTS FOR QUESTIONSIfyouhavequestionsaboutNewJersey’sworkers’compensationprogram,pleasecontact:

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Workers’ CompensationP.O. Box 381Trenton, NJ 08625-0381(609) 292-2515Fax: (609) 984-2515 e-mail: [email protected]

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutworkers’compensationinsuranceratesorobtainingcoverage,pleasecontact:

New Jersey Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau60 Park PlaceNewark, NJ 07102 www.njcrib.com(973) 622-6014

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WC-373 (10/11)

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Workers’ Compensation

P.O. Box 381Trenton, NJ 08625-0381

(609) 292-2515Fax: (609) 984-2515

e-mail: [email protected]