Acting Governor Signs Legislation Increasing Counsel Fees to 25% in Workers’ Compensation Cases

August 23, 2024

Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari signed legislation increasing counsel fees for petitioners’ attorneys from 20% to 25%.  This change in the law is codified in N.J.S.A. 34:15-64. The statute now reads as follows:  “The official conducting any hearing under this chapter may allow to…

Employee’s Car Accident Commuting to Work Deemed Compensable for Workers Compensation Claim

November 27, 2023

Henry Keim v. Above All Termite & Pest Control Docket No.: A-30-22 Decided November 21, 2023 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent decision, the Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the dismissal of petitioner’s claim finding an employee’s car accident was in the court of employment under the “authorized vehicle…

Richard Oetting v. Hageman Roofing, et. al. – Personal Injury and Workers Compensation

December 21, 2022

Richard Oetting v. Hageman Roofing, et. al. Docket No. A-0505-21 Decided December 1, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Court of New Jersey decided plaintiff’s appeal from an order granting summary judgment in favor of defendants. One of the defendants, Riverview Realty owns a building…

The Special Mission Exception to Workers Compensation Permits Compensation for Employees That Are Required to Be Away from the Conventional Place of Employment

November 21, 2022

Gregory Van Sciver v. Jersey Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Docket No. A-3524-20 Decided November 15, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Court of New Jersey decided respondent/appellant, Jersey Mechanical Contractor’s, appeal from the order awarding petitioner workers’ compensation benefits. The facts of this case are as…

Reversed: Imposition of An Additional Penalty of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement Due to Delay in Payment

June 24, 2022

Louis Ripp v. County of Hudson Docket No.: A-2972-20 Decided June 3, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reversed the imposition of an additional penalty of a Workers’ Compensation settlement due to delay in payment. In Ripp, Louis Ripp worked for…

Reversed: The Imposition of an Additional Penalty of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement Due to Delay in Payment.

June 6, 2022

Louis Ripp v. County of Hudson Docket No.: A-2972-20 Decided June 3, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reversed the imposition of an additional penalty of a Workers’ Compensation settlement due to delay in payment. In Ripp, Louis Ripp worked for…

New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation Reopening All Court Facilities

March 31, 2022

Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.

Notice to Bar – All Workers’ Compensation Court Facilities to Open

February 15, 2022

Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.

A Petitioner Bears the Burden to Establish the Compensability of The Worker’s Compensation Claim

July 21, 2021

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET No. A-3625-19 ANDREW MACKOFF, Petitioner-Appellant, v. NEW BRUNSWICK SAW SERVICE, Respondent-Respondent. __________________________ Submitted March 3, 2021 – Decided July 14, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Petitioner was employed by New Brunswick Saw Services as a salesperson and account manager. Respondent sells and services…

Workers’ Compensation Claims and Re-injuring Previous Injuries

June 30, 2021

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-5547-18 PATRICIA COSTANZO, Petitioner-Appellant, v. MERIDIAN REHAB, Respondent-Respondent. __________________________ Argued June 2, 2021 – Decided June 17, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. On April 1, 2016, petitioner was working for Meridian Rehab. When performing her duties, she slipped and fell to the…