Manual jobs like construction and heavy machinery work are more prone to accidents. Sometimes, these accidents can result in permanently losing use of your limbs. Such injuries can affect your ability to earn a living. Thankfully, workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey can offer a lifeline for you and your family.
What are scheduled loss benefits?
Scheduled loss benefits compensate workers for permanent partial disabilities to specific body parts. These benefits are based on a schedule that assigns a specific number of weeks of compensation for each limb or body part.
Loss of use does not necessarily mean physically losing the body part. It can simply mean limited movement or functional use of the limb. For example, if you can’t hold things anymore because of a finger injury, that may qualify for benefits.
How long will you receive benefits?
The Garden State releases its schedule each year. Below are several body parts and their scheduled weeks of compensation for 2024:
- Hand: 260 or 300 weeks
- Arm: 330 weeks
- Thumb: 80 weeks
- Leg: 315 weeks
- Foot: 250 or 285 weeks
- Eye: 200 weeks
- Hearing in both ears: 200 weeks
Multiplying the percentage of disability with the maximum weeks on the schedule gives you your total duration of benefits. If you lose 50% use of your leg, you will receive benefits for half of 315 weeks or around 157 weeks only.
How do you calculate the benefits you should receive?
The payout amount doesn’t change based on actual medical expenses or other costs incurred. Instead, the scheduled loss compensation depends on three factors:
- 70% of your average weekly wage
- The percentage of disability or loss of use of the limb
- The number of weeks based on New Jersey’s schedule of disabilities
The state sets a maximum and minimum wage rate each year. This may affect your total benefit amount if you earn more than the maximum. Meanwhile, the percentage of disability will depend on the doctor’s assessment of your injury.
Get fair compensation with proper documentation
Proper documentation is crucial when seeking fair compensation for scheduled loss benefits. Detailed medical records and doctor’s evaluations can impact your disability percentage. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you gather and submit the necessary paperwork so you can receive your rightful benefits.