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…

New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation Reopening All Court Facilities

March 31, 2022

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

To Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation, An Incident Must Pass a Two-Prong Test for An Injury Sustained During a Recreational or Social Activity

June 16, 2021

VIRIDIANA REGALADO, Petitioner-Appellant, F&B GARAGE DOOR, Respondent-Respondent Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Petitioner worked for F&B Garage Door is a business that sells and installs residential garage doors. On Friday, December 23, 2016, respondent was hosting a holiday party at a local restaurant. Employees were encouraged to bring friends or families and…

Even If an Employee Is Volunteering, They Might Be Able to Still Make A Compensable Claim for Workers Compensation

February 11, 2021

Goulding v. NJ Friendship House Docket No. A-48 Decided February 8, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court reviewed whether an injury occurring during a Family Fun Day in which an employee volunteered to work without pay is compensable for workers compensation purposes. In…

Hiring Preference Bill Approved by New Jersey Assembly Committee as Part of New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act

February 1, 2021

Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. The NJ Assembly Labor Committee recently passed bill A-2617 sponsored by Assembly members Murphy, Benson, and Reynolds-Jackson. This bill requires an employer with at least 50 employees to provide a hiring preference to an employee who was injured in a work-related injury, has reached maximum medical…

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO COVID 19 VACCINE MAY BE COMPENSABLE UNDER NEW JERSEY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW

December 29, 2020

December 28, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark COVID-19 vaccines are being administered across the nation.  Little is known about the full effects of the vaccines, and as time progresses, we will begin to know more about the effectiveness and possible side effects and adverse reactions.  A big question for Workers’…

NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNS NEW WORKERS COMPENSATION LAW AFFECTING HAND AND FOOT INJURIES

November 14, 2020

Submitted by New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Signed October 30, 2020 Changes were made this year as to New Jersey’s Workers’ Compensation recovery for hand, foot and fingers injuries.  Governor Phil Murphy recently signed legislation amending L 2019, c. 387 to clarify which cases the law would apply to. As far as the…

Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board and Accidental Disability

June 25, 2020

Slater v. Bd. of Tr., Police & Firemen’s Ret. Sys.: Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.          Petitioner appealed the final agency decision by the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board denying her request for accidental disability benefits and instead awarding her ordinary disability benefits. The key issue in dispute is…

New Jersey Suspension of Workers’ Compensation Court due to COVID19

March 16, 2020

Read the full memo here.

What is “Negligence” for the purpose of a car crash”

March 6, 2020

JEAN-PIERRE THERRIEN v. LYNDA BLOW,  Decided March 4, 2020 (Not Approved for Publication and Shall Not Be binding on any trial court) Submitted by New Jersey Workers Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark Facts:  Plaintiff, Jean-Pierre Therrien, an on duty Metuchen police officer observed a disabled motor vehicle with its hazard lights activated blocking the intersection of Grove Avenue…