Workers Compensation Lawyer in Elizabeth, NJ

If you’ve been injured on the job in Elizabeth, New Jersey, you need experienced legal representation to secure the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to. At Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC, our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys have spent decades helping Elizabeth workers get the medical treatment and wage replacement they need to recover and provide for their families.

Why Choose Our Elizabeth Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

With our office conveniently located in nearby Cranford, we’re intimately familiar with Elizabeth’s industries, workplaces, and the Union County court system. We regularly appear at the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth and understand the local procedures and expectations.

Our firm understands the unique challenges Elizabeth workers face:

• Port and Terminal Workers: The Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal supports 400,000 regional jobs. Longshoremen, crane operators, and warehouse workers face serious injury risks daily
• Refinery and Industrial Workers: The Bayway Refinery and Elizabeth’s manufacturing facilities create exposure risks and accident hazards
• Healthcare Workers: Trinitas Regional Medical Center employs over 2,700 people who face back injuries, needlestick accidents, and workplace violence
• Transportation and Logistics: With 13% of Elizabeth’s workforce in logistics, injuries at warehouses, distribution centers, and trucking facilities are common
• Retail Workers: The Mills at Jersey Gardens employs thousands of retail workers who suffer slip and falls, lifting injuries, and repetitive stress

Common Workers’ Compensation Claims in Elizabeth

Our Elizabeth workers’ compensation lawyers handle all types of workplace injury cases:

Port and Terminal Injuries

Working at Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is dangerous. We’ve represented workers injured by:

• Crane and heavy equipment accidents
• Falling cargo and container strikes
• Forklift collisions and dock accidents
• Slip and falls on wet or oily surfaces
• Crushing injuries from moving containers
• Repetitive stress from cargo handling

Industrial and Refinery Accidents

Elizabeth’s manufacturing sector and the Bayway Refinery create significant workplace hazards:

• Chemical exposure and burns
• Machinery accidents and amputations
• Explosion and fire injuries
• Toxic fume inhalation
• Electrical accidents
• Falls from heights

Healthcare Worker Injuries

Trinitas Regional Medical Center and other Elizabeth healthcare facilities see their share of employee injuries:

• Back injuries from patient lifting
• Needlestick and sharps injuries
• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Workplace violence and assault
• Slip and falls in patient care areas
• Repetitive motion injuries

Warehouse and Distribution Center Injuries

Elizabeth’s industrial corridors are packed with logistics facilities where injuries are common:

• Forklift accidents and pedestrian strikes
• Falling merchandise and pallet collapses
• Loading dock accidents
• Overexertion and lifting injuries
• Repetitive motion disorders
• Conveyor belt and machinery accidents

Understanding New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Benefits

New Jersey workers’ compensation provides crucial benefits when you’re injured on the job:

Medical Benefits

All necessary medical treatment related to your work injury must be covered, including:

• Emergency room visits at Trinitas Regional Medical Center or other facilities
• Doctor appointments and specialist consultations
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment and assistive devices

Temporary Disability Benefits

If your injury prevents you from working, you’re entitled to 70% of your average weekly wages, capped at $1,159 per week in 2025. These benefits continue while you’re unable to work due to your injury.

Permanent Disability Benefits

If your injury results in permanent impairment or you can’t return to your previous job, you may be entitled to permanent disability compensation based on the severity and nature of your injury.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you can’t return to your previous occupation, you may qualify for job retraining and placement services to help you find new employment.

How Workers’ Compensation Works in Elizabeth, NJ

Understanding the process helps you protect your rights:

1. Report Your Injury Immediately: Notify your employer in writing as soon as possible. Whether you work at the port, a warehouse, or anywhere in Union County, prompt reporting is crucial.

2. Seek Medical Treatment: Get evaluated by a doctor. Your employer may direct you to a specific medical provider initially.

3. File Your Claim: Your employer should provide you with a claim petition. We can help ensure it’s filed correctly and completely.

4. Investigation Period: Your employer’s insurance company will investigate your claim. Having an attorney protects you during this critical phase.

5. Receive Benefits or Appeal: If benefits are approved, you’ll begin receiving medical care and wage replacement. If denied, we’ll fight the decision.

Elizabeth Employers & Industries We Serve

Our workers’ compensation attorneys represent injured workers from all Elizabeth industries and employers, including:

Major Employers:

• Trinitas Regional Medical Center staff
• Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal workers
• Maher Terminals and APM Terminals employees
• Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) workers
• Bayway Refinery employees
• Alpha Wire manufacturing workers
• Papetti’s Hygrade Egg Products employees
• The Mills at Jersey Gardens retail workers
• Elizabeth Public Schools staff
• City of Elizabeth employees

Key Industries:

• Port operations and marine terminals
• Warehousing and distribution
• Manufacturing and industrial production
• Oil refining and chemical processing
• Healthcare and medical services
• Retail and hospitality
• Transportation and trucking
• Food processing and production
• Construction and trades

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Elizabeth

If you’ve been hurt on the job, take these important steps:

1. Get Medical Attention: Your health comes first. For serious injuries, go to the Trinitas Regional Medical Center Emergency Department at 225 Williamson Street or call 911.

2. Report the Injury: Notify your supervisor or HR department immediately, preferably in writing with a copy for your records.

3. Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene if possible, get witness names, and keep all medical records and bills.

4. Don’t Sign Anything Without Legal Advice: Insurance companies may ask you to sign documents that could harm your claim.

5. Contact an Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney: Call us at (908) 232-2040 for a free consultation before you speak to the insurance company.

Why Elizabeth Workers Trust Us

Experience with Union County Courts: We regularly handle cases at the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in downtown Elizabeth. We know the procedures, the judges, and how to present compelling cases.

We Know Elizabeth: From the dangerous work at Port Newark-Elizabeth to the industrial hazards at the Bayway Refinery to the healthcare challenges at Trinitas, we understand your workplace and your industry.

No Fees Unless We Win: You pay nothing upfront and only pay attorney fees if we successfully recover benefits for you.

Aggressive Representation: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize your benefits. You need experienced advocates fighting just as hard for you.

Proven Results: We’ve recovered millions in workers’ compensation benefits for injured New Jersey workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do I have to report a workplace injury in Elizabeth? A: You should report your injury to your employer immediately. New Jersey law requires written notice within 90 days, but delays can harm your claim. The sooner you report it, the better.

Q: What if my employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance? A: All New Jersey employers with employees are required to carry workers’ comp insurance. If your employer doesn’t have coverage, you can file a claim with the New Jersey Uninsured Employers Fund or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Q: Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim? A: No. New Jersey law prohibits retaliation against workers who file legitimate workers’ comp claims. If you’re fired or punished for filing a claim, you may have additional legal remedies.

Q: What if I was partially at fault for my injury? A: New Jersey workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You can receive benefits even if you were partially responsible for the accident (unless you were intoxicated or intentionally hurt yourself).

Q: How much does it cost to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer? A: We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs, and our attorney fees are only paid if we successfully recover benefits for you. We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case.

Q: I work at the port—are there special rules for maritime workers? A: Longshore and harbor workers may be covered under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) instead of or in addition to New Jersey workers’ comp. We can help determine which laws apply to your situation and ensure you get maximum benefits.

Contact Our Elizabeth Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today

Don’t let an on-the-job injury derail your life. Whether you were hurt at the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, at the Bayway Refinery, at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, in an Elizabeth warehouse, or anywhere else in the city, we’re here to fight for the benefits you deserve.

Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC
1150 Raritan Rd, Suite 100, Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 232-2040

Free Consultation • Se Habla Español • Serving Elizabeth and All of Union County

Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to help you navigate the claims process, deal with insurance companies, and recover the maximum benefits available under New Jersey law.

---

Proudly serving injured workers in Elizabeth and throughout New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Plainfield, Linden, and all Union County communities.