Workers Compensation Lawyer in Hackensack, NJ

If you’ve been injured on the job in Hackensack, New Jersey, you deserve experienced legal representation to fight for the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to. At Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLC, our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys have helped countless Bergen County workers secure the medical treatment and wage replacement they need to recover and support their families.

Why Choose Our Hackensack Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

With our office conveniently located in nearby Cranford, we’re intimately familiar with Hackensack’s industries, workplaces, and the Bergen County court system. We’ve successfully represented injured workers from every corner of Hackensack – from the medical center complex along Prospect Avenue to the county government buildings downtown, from the redeveloping Main Street corridor to the industrial areas near the Hackensack River.

Our firm understands the unique challenges Hackensack workers face:

• Healthcare Workers: Hackensack University Medical Center’s 10,000+ employees face patient lifting injuries, needle sticks, slip-and-falls, and exposure to infectious diseases. The John Theurer Cancer Center, Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, and Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital all present distinct workplace hazards
• County Government Employees: Bergen County’s Justice Center houses the Superior Court, County Clerk, Prosecutor, Sheriff, and Surrogate – hundreds of workers face everything from courthouse security incidents to repetitive stress from desk work
• Senior Care Workers: Multicare Companies Inc., headquartered in Hackensack, operates skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities where workers face lifting injuries, patient-related incidents, and physical strain
• Retail & Service Workers: Main Street’s diverse restaurants, shops, and the renewed downtown business district employ thousands who face slip-and-falls, repetitive motion injuries, and lifting strain
• Construction Workers: Downtown Hackensack’s renaissance has brought thousands of new residential units in modern high-rises, creating construction hazards throughout the city
• Transportation Workers: NJ Transit bus operations, including the #165 serving the Justice Center, employ workers facing traffic incidents and physical demands

Common Workers’ Compensation Claims in Hackensack

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

Healthcare & Hospital Injuries

Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey’s largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services and the first New Jersey hospital ranked in the Top 20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. With 763 beds and Level 1 trauma center status, the medical center’s workers face significant injury risks. We represent nurses, CNAs, technicians, and support staff injured from patient handling, needle sticks, chemical exposures, and workplace violence.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Office workers at Bergen County government buildings, law offices, and the many professional services firms in Hackensack often develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other repetitive motion injuries. The Justice Center’s administrative staff, County Clerk employees, and court reporters all face these risks from long hours of typing and computer work.

Back & Lifting Injuries

From nursing assistants at Hackensack UMC moving patients to warehouse workers near the Hackensack River industrial areas, back injuries remain among the most common and debilitating workplace injuries we handle. Senior care workers at facilities operated by Multicare Companies face particular risks from patient lifting and mobility assistance.

Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents

New Jersey winters create hazardous conditions on Hackensack’s sidewalks and parking lots. We represent workers injured on icy walkways around the medical center complex, in the historic Rotunda building at the Justice Center, and throughout Main Street’s busy commercial district.

Construction Accidents

Downtown Hackensack’s transformation has added thousands of residential units in modern high-rises along Prospect Avenue and throughout the city center. We represent construction workers injured on scaffolding, from falls, in struck-by accidents, and from heavy equipment incidents at these redevelopment projects.

Security & Law Enforcement Injuries

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, located at the Justice Center, and courthouse security personnel face unique workplace hazards including physical confrontations, equipment-related injuries, and psychological trauma from high-stress situations.

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 Hackensack University Medical Center’s Level 1 trauma center
• Doctor appointments and specialist consultations
• Surgery and hospitalization at any of Hackensack Meridian Health’s network facilities
• 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.

How Workers’ Compensation Works in Hackensack, 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 Hackensack University Medical Center, a Bergen County government office, or a Main Street restaurant, prompt reporting is crucial.

2. Seek Medical Treatment: Get evaluated by a doctor. Hackensack UMC has one of the region’s busiest emergency departments and Level 1 trauma capability for serious injuries.

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.

Hackensack Employers & Industries We Serve

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

Major Employers:

• Hackensack University Medical Center (10,000+ employees across Hackensack Meridian Health)
• Bergen County Government (Justice Center, Administration Building)
• John Theurer Cancer Center
• Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital
• Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital
• Multicare Companies Inc. (senior care)
• Bergen County Sheriff’s Office
• Various law firms and professional offices

Key Industries:

• Healthcare & hospitals (Hackensack Meridian Health system)
• Government services (Bergen County operations)
• Senior care & assisted living (Multicare and others)
• Legal & professional services
• Retail & restaurants (Main Street corridor)
• Construction & development (downtown renaissance)
• Transportation (NJ Transit bus operations)

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Hackensack

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

1. Get Medical Attention: Your health comes first. For emergencies, go to Hackensack University Medical Center’s Level 1 trauma center 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 Hackensack Workers Trust Us

Experience with Bergen County Courts: We regularly handle cases at the Bergen County Superior Court, housed in the historic Justice Center at 10 Main Street – the same courthouse where key scenes from movies like “Hackers” and “Devil’s Advocate” were filmed. The Rotunda’s marble columns and ornate stained glass dome are on the National Historic Register, but what matters is that we know how to navigate this court system effectively for our clients.

We Know Hackensack: From the challenges facing healthcare workers at the region’s premier medical center to the risks construction workers face in the city’s booming redevelopment, 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 Hackensack? 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 Second Injury 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 Hackensack UMC – am I covered by workers’ comp? A: Yes. Healthcare workers at Hackensack University Medical Center and all Hackensack Meridian Health facilities are covered by New Jersey workers’ compensation when injured on the job.

Contact Our Hackensack Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today

Don’t let an on-the-job injury derail your life. Whether you were hurt at Hackensack University Medical Center, at the Bergen County Justice Center, on a downtown construction site, or anywhere else in Hackensack, 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 Hackensack and All of Bergen 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.

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Proudly serving injured workers in Hackensack and throughout New Jersey including Teaneck, Fort Lee, Paramus, Englewood, and all Bergen County communities.