New Jersey is an employment-at-will state and an employer can fire someone for any reason other than a protected reason.  An employer may not discriminate or fire an employee because he or she files a workers' compensation case.

There are three items of benefits an employee is entitled to if they are hurt on the job (even if the accident is their own fault) Those three items are as follows:  1. They are entitled to have their medical bills paid without a deductible or co-pay, 2. They are entitled to receive 70% of their average weekly wages for the period of time they cannot work and 3. They are entitled to an award of permanent disability. 

N.J. Workers' Compensation law allows you to go back to court for more medical benefits, temporary disability benefits and even an additional award of permanent disability benefits if your previous injury has become significantly worse within two years after they have paid the last workers' compensation benefit to you.

 Only a workers' compensation judge can award an attorney's fee. Typically, the fee does not exceed 20% of what the attorney actually gets for you. If the workers' compensation insurance carrier has voluntarily paid any of the above mentioned benefits, the attorney is not entitled to a fee.  In many instances, the judge will also order that that the workers' compensation insurance carrier contribute towards the attorney's fee.