When New Jersey workers are injured on the job, the state’s workers’ compensation program can provide benefits to pay for their medical care and rehabilitation. Given the high cost of medical care, this is important, but these are not the only costs that come with a workplace injury. If the injury is bad enough that the worker needs medical help and rehabilitation, the worker will probably be unable to work during the recovery period. Without income from work, they and their families can quickly fall into financial trouble.

Fortunately, New Jersey’s workers’ compensation program also provides for temporary total disability benefits. If the injury or illness causes the worker to miss more than seven consecutive days of work, the employer’s insurance company must provide these cash benefits to help the injured worker with expenses. The dollar amount of these benefits is set at 70% of the worker’s weekly wage.

Generally, temporary total disability benefits expire when the employee returns to work. If the accident leaves the worker permanently injured, they may require other types of benefits. New Jersey law has a long list of injuries that qualify a worker for permanent partial disability benefits, with rates set according to the severity of the injury.

After particularly serious accidents, a worker may qualify for permanent total disability benefits. These have their own schedule of rates, and last for up to 450 weeks, which is about eight and a half years. Permanently injured workers and their families can talk to a skilled attorney about other benefits programs, such as Social Security Disability, that may help them in addition to workers’ compensation.