After a workplace injury, choosing the right lawyer can have a significant impact on how confidently you navigate your claim. Your case may involve medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, permanent impairment, insurance disputes, or a denied workers’ compensation claim.
So, how do you find the best workers comp lawyer in NJ for your situation?
Start by looking for substantial workers’ compensation experience, recognized credentials, knowledge of New Jersey law, strong communication, and an attorney who regularly handles the specific issues involved in workplace injury claims.
At Brady & Kunz, Tom Kunz is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney. This credential reflects substantial experience, education, knowledge, and skill specifically in New Jersey workers’ compensation law.
If you were injured at work and are comparing workers compensation lawyers in New Jersey, here are the qualifications that deserve your attention.
1. Look for a Lawyer Who Focuses on Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a specialized area of New Jersey law.
A workplace injury case can involve questions about authorized medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability, Maximum Medical Improvement, insurance disputes, court proceedings, and settlement.
An experienced NJ workers comp lawyer should understand these issues and how they interact throughout the life of a claim.
At Brady & Kunz, workers’ compensation is one of our core practice areas. We represent injured employees through the different stages of the New Jersey workers’ compensation process.
Learn more about our New Jersey Workers’ Compensation practice and how we help injured workers pursue the benefits available to them.
2. Consider Specialized Credentials and Certification
Not every lawyer who handles workplace injury cases has the same credentials.
One of the most important distinctions available in New Jersey is certification by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Tom Kunz of Brady & Kunz is a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney and has held this certification for more than 15 years.
Certification is significant because it requires attorneys to satisfy standards involving substantial involvement in workers’ compensation law, continuing legal education, peer and judicial evaluation, and examination.
For someone searching for the best workers compensation attorney in NJ, certification provides an objective credential to consider when comparing lawyers.
It demonstrates that an attorney has gone beyond simply advertising workers’ compensation as an area of practice.
3. Choose Someone Who Understands the Entire NJ Workers’ Compensation Process
Workers’ compensation cases can change quickly.
A straightforward claim can become complicated when an insurance carrier questions how an injury occurred, refuses treatment, stops temporary disability benefits, disputes permanent impairment, or denies the claim altogether.
A workers’ compensation lawyer should be prepared to assist with issues including:
- Reporting a workplace injury
- Obtaining authorized medical treatment
- Temporary disability benefits
- Medical evidence
- Permanent disability
- Maximum Medical Improvement
- Insurance disputes
- Denied claims
- Workers’ compensation hearings
- Settlement
If you were recently hurt on the job, review our guide explaining how to report a workplace injury in New Jersey.
4. Look for Experience Handling Denied and Disputed Claims
A lawyer’s value becomes especially important when a claim stops going smoothly.
Workers’ compensation disputes may involve whether an injury happened at work, whether treatment is necessary, whether a pre-existing condition caused the worker’s symptoms, or whether the employee remains unable to work.
An experienced attorney can identify the issue being disputed, evaluate the available evidence, and determine what may be necessary to protect the worker’s rights.
If you are already experiencing problems with a claim, read about the common reasons workers’ compensation claims get denied in New Jersey.
A denial does not necessarily mean your workers’ compensation case is over.
5. Ask About Experience With Your Type of Workplace Injury
Workers’ compensation cases can involve very different medical and occupational circumstances.
Common claims include:
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Construction accidents
- Falls from heights
- Work-related vehicle accidents
- Occupational illnesses
- Injuries requiring surgery
- Permanent impairments
The lawyer you choose should understand how medical treatment and functional limitations can affect a workers’ compensation case.
Workers dealing with physically demanding occupations can learn more from our resource covering back, neck, shoulder, and common roofing job injuries.
6. Choose a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Who Communicates Clearly
Experience and credentials matter, but so does communication.
After a serious workplace injury, you may have questions about your paycheck, medical treatment, job, benefits, and future.
A good workers’ compensation lawyer should be able to explain complicated issues in understandable terms.
Before hiring an attorney, consider asking:
- Who will handle my case?
- How will I receive updates?
- What workers’ compensation benefits may apply?
- What problems do you see with my claim?
- What happens if the insurance company denies treatment?
- What should I expect during the workers’ compensation process?
You should leave a consultation with a clearer understanding of your situation, not more confusion.
7. Look for a Lawyer Who Understands Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies
Workers’ compensation insurance carriers play a major role in workplace injury claims.
They may investigate the accident, authorize treatment, review medical records, pay temporary benefits, obtain medical evaluations, dispute treatment, and participate in settlement negotiations.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney understands how insurance disputes can affect a claim and can advocate for the injured worker when problems arise.
The insurance carrier has its own responsibilities and interests. Your attorney’s responsibility is to represent yours.
8. Consider Local New Jersey Experience
Many injured employees search for a workers comp lawyer near me because they want accessible representation from someone familiar with New Jersey workers’ compensation law.
Brady & Kunz is based in Toms River and represents injured employees throughout New Jersey, with a strong presence in Ocean and Monmouth counties.
Workers in the surrounding area can learn more about our representation in Ocean County and Monmouth County.
Local accessibility can also make it easier to communicate with your legal team and get answers when questions arise.
Why Choose Brady & Kunz for a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Brady & Kunz combines decades of legal experience with specialized workers’ compensation credentials and a client-focused approach.
Our workers’ compensation practice is led by Tom Kunz, a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney for more than 15 years.
The firm also has documented results in significant workers’ compensation matters, including more than $1 million in medical care and temporary benefits plus lifetime disability and medical benefits for an injured steel worker, as well as more than $750,000 in medical care and temporary benefits plus $225,000 in partial disability for an injured home improvement retailer worker.
Results vary based on the unique facts, circumstances, and legal issues of each case.
For injured workers, our goal is straightforward: understand the individual situation, explain the process clearly, and advocate for the benefits available under New Jersey law.
Talk to a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work and are deciding who should represent you, look beyond advertisements and rankings. Consider the attorney’s workers’ compensation experience, credentials, communication, and ability to handle disputed claims.
Brady & Kunz offers free consultations for workers’ compensation matters.
Contact Brady & Kunz for a free workers’ compensation consultation or call 732-240-4600 to discuss your workplace injury.
FAQ
How do I find the best workers comp lawyer in NJ?
Look for a lawyer with substantial experience specifically handling New Jersey workers’ compensation cases, strong communication, knowledge of medical and insurance issues, and relevant professional credentials. Supreme Court certification in workers’ compensation law is an additional qualification worth considering when comparing New Jersey attorneys.
What is a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
A Certified Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney is an attorney recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey after satisfying requirements involving experience, education, knowledge, peer and judicial evaluation, and examination. Tom Kunz of Brady & Kunz has held this workers’ compensation certification for more than 15 years.
When should I hire a workers’ compensation lawyer?
Consider speaking with a lawyer after a serious workplace injury or when treatment is delayed, benefits stop, your employer or insurer disputes the injury, your claim is denied, you may have permanent impairment, or you have questions about settlement. Seeking guidance early can also help you understand your rights before problems develop.
Can a workers’ compensation lawyer help with a denied claim?
Yes. A workers’ compensation attorney can review why the claim was denied, examine medical and employment evidence, identify disputed issues, and determine what legal action may be appropriate. A denial does not automatically mean an injured employee has no right to workers’ compensation benefits.
What questions should I ask a workers’ compensation lawyer before hiring them?
Ask how much experience the attorney has with New Jersey workers’ compensation, whether they have handled injuries similar to yours, who will manage your case, how communication works, and what potential challenges they see. You can also ask about relevant certifications and experience handling disputed claims and hearings.
