Workers Compensation Lawyer in Morris County, NJ

Morris County’s Diverse Workforce: Where Injuries Happen

With over 500,000 residents and more than 265,000 employees across 23,000 businesses, Morris County is an economic powerhouse—but its thriving industries also create significant workplace hazards.

Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences – New Jersey’s Medicine Cabinet

Morris County is the heart of New Jersey’s pharmaceutical industry, home to some of the world’s largest drug makers:

Novartis Pharmaceuticals (East Hanover) – 6,178 employees at the 180-acre campus on Route 10, including manufacturing, packaging, and R&D laboratories

Bayer U.S. (Whippany) – 2,500+ employees at the U.S. headquarters on Bayer Boulevard

Hikma Pharmaceuticals and other biotech firms throughout the county

Pharmaceutical workers commonly suffer:

• Chemical exposure from active pharmaceutical ingredients, solvents, and cleaning agents
• Repetitive stress injuries from laboratory procedures and manufacturing operations
• Slip-and-falls on sterile facility floors and in cleanrooms
• Respiratory conditions from chemical fumes and particulate matter
• Ergonomic injuries from extended microscope work, pipetting, and computer use
• Crush injuries from manufacturing and packaging equipment

Healthcare Industry – Atlantic Health System Dominates

Healthcare is Morris County’s largest employer, led by the Atlantic Health System’s 10,581 employees:

Morristown Medical Center (Morristown) – 735-bed flagship hospital, the largest in Northwestern New Jersey, ranked #1 in the state by Newsweek 2024

Goryeb Children’s Hospital (Morristown) – Pediatric specialty care on the MMC campus

Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital (Denville) – Full-service community hospital

Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital (Dover) – Acute care facility serving western Morris County

Chilton Medical Center (Pompton Plains) – Recognized among America’s 250 Best Hospitals

Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute (Morristown) – U.S. News Top-Ranked Rehabilitation

Healthcare workers commonly suffer:

• Patient lifting and handling injuries – The leading cause of healthcare worker injuries
• Needlestick injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposure
• Slip-and-falls in patient care areas and wet surfaces
• Violence from patients in emergency and psychiatric settings
• Repetitive stress from medical procedures and documentation
• Chemical exposure from cleaning agents, medications, and sterilization
• Infectious disease exposure including respiratory illnesses

Defense Industry – Picatinny Arsenal

Picatinny Arsenal is a 6,400-acre U.S. Army research and manufacturing facility that employs over 6,200 personnel:

Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition – Providing products and services to all U.S. military branches

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center – Headquarters

Military and civilian personnel including soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and federal employees

Defense workers commonly suffer:

• Hearing loss from weapons testing and industrial noise
• Toxic exposure from explosives, propellants, and chemicals
• Burns from testing and manufacturing operations
• Traumatic injuries from equipment and machinery
• Repetitive stress injuries from precision manufacturing work
• Falls from heights during facility maintenance

Corporate Offices & Technology

Morris County hosts over 800 corporate headquarters, attracting thousands of office workers:

Barclays – Major financial services operations ADP (Parsippany) – Human capital management technology Quest Diagnostics and numerous healthcare technology firms Weichert Realtors (Morris Plains) – Forbes Best Employers 2024

Office and technology workers face:

• Repetitive stress injuries from extended computer use
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other overuse conditions
• Ergonomic injuries from poorly designed workstations
• Eye strain and headaches from screen work
• Slip-and-falls in office buildings and parking facilities
• Stress-related conditions in high-pressure environments

Warehouse & Distribution

The Route 80, Route 46, and I-287 corridors have attracted significant logistics operations:

• Distribution centers in Parsippany, Hanover, and Mount Olive
• E-commerce fulfillment operations throughout the county
• Cold storage and food distribution facilities
• Retail distribution for major chains

Warehouse workers commonly suffer:

• Forklift and equipment accidents causing crush injuries
• Heavy lifting injuries to backs, shoulders, and knees
• Repetitive motion injuries from scanning, packing, and sorting
• Slip-and-falls on warehouse floors
• Struck-by injuries from falling merchandise or equipment

Construction Industry

Morris County continues to experience commercial and residential development:

• Corporate campus expansions in Parsippany and Florham Park
• Healthcare facility projects including hospital renovations
• Residential development in Randolph, Denville, and surrounding areas
• Infrastructure projects including I-287 improvements
• Rail station renovations on the Morris & Essex Lines

Construction workers face:

• Falls from heights on scaffolding, roofs, and ladders
• Struck-by accidents from falling materials and equipment
• Caught-in/between accidents involving heavy machinery
• Electrocution from power lines and electrical systems
• Trench collapses in excavation work

Common Workers Compensation Claims in Morris County

We handle all types of workplace injuries for Morris County workers:

Traumatic Injuries

• Broken bones and fractures from falls, equipment accidents, or struck-by incidents
• Back and spinal injuries from lifting, falls, or vehicle accidents
• Head and traumatic brain injuries from falls or struck-by incidents
• Amputations from machinery or manufacturing equipment
• Burn injuries from chemicals, hot surfaces, or electrical incidents

Repetitive Stress and Occupational Diseases

• Carpal tunnel syndrome from computer work, laboratory procedures, or manufacturing
• Rotator cuff injuries from overhead work or patient handling
• Herniated discs from repeated heavy lifting
• Hearing loss from industrial environments and weapons testing
• Occupational lung disease from pharmaceutical or chemical exposure
• Occupational cancer from toxic substance exposure

Fatal Workplace Accidents

When a Morris County worker is killed on the job, we help families pursue death benefits for surviving spouses and dependents, including ongoing wage replacement and funeral expenses.

Understanding New Jersey Workers Compensation

New Jersey workers compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. If you were injured while performing your job duties, you may be entitled to:

Medical Benefits

All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury must be paid by your employer’s insurance company:

• Emergency room and hospital care
• Surgery and specialist treatment
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment and assistive devices

Temporary Disability Benefits

If you cannot work due to your injury, you’re entitled to temporary disability payments equal to 70% of your average weekly wage (subject to state maximum limits). These benefits continue until you return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.

Permanent Disability Benefits

If your injury results in lasting impairment, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits based on the percentage of disability you’ve suffered.

Death Benefits

If a worker is killed on the job, surviving dependents may receive ongoing wage replacement benefits plus funeral expenses up to $3,500.

Why Morris County Workers Choose Us

We Know Morris County Industries

From pharmaceuticals to defense, from healthcare to corporate offices, we understand the specific hazards Morris County workers face. We’ve handled claims against major employers throughout the county.

We Know Morris County Courts

Workers compensation cases in Morris County are heard at the Division of Workers Compensation in the Morris/Sussex vicinage. We know the judges, the procedures, and how to present winning cases in this jurisdiction.

We Fight Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies for major employers like Atlantic Health System, Novartis, Bayer, and government contractors have aggressive legal teams. We know their tactics and how to counter them.

We Get Results

We’ve recovered millions in workers compensation benefits for injured Northern New Jersey workers. We know how to maximize your benefits and fight insurance company denials.

Major Morris County Employers We’ve Handled Claims Against

Our attorneys have successfully handled workers compensation claims against employers throughout Morris County:

• Atlantic Health System facilities
• Morristown Medical Center
• Saint Clare’s hospitals
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Bayer U.S.
• Federal contractors at Picatinny Arsenal
• Barclays and financial services firms
• Quest Diagnostics
• ADP
• Weichert Realtors
• Construction companies
• Morris County government agencies
• School districts throughout the county
• Warehouse and logistics companies

What To Do After a Workplace Injury in Morris County

1. Get medical attention immediately – Your health comes first. Morristown Medical Center is a Level II Trauma Center.
2. Report the injury to your supervisor – Do this in writing if possible
3. Document everything – Take photos, save records, note witnesses
4. Don’t sign anything from the insurance company without consulting an attorney
5. Call us for a free consultation – We’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be fired for filing a workers comp claim?

No. New Jersey law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file workers compensation claims. If you’re terminated after filing a claim, you may have an additional legal claim for retaliation.

What if my employer says my injury isn’t work-related?

Insurance companies often dispute whether injuries are work-related, especially for repetitive stress injuries common in pharmaceutical labs and computer work. We investigate your claim, gather medical evidence, and fight to prove your injury occurred in the course of your employment.

Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury?

Generally, workers compensation is the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries. However, if a third party (like an equipment manufacturer or subcontractor) caused your injury, you may have an additional lawsuit against them.

I work for a federal contractor at Picatinny Arsenal. Am I covered?

Federal employees at Picatinny Arsenal are covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), not New Jersey workers compensation. Private contractors on the base may be covered by state workers comp. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

How long will my case take?

Every case is different. Simple cases may resolve in weeks, while complex cases involving permanent disability or disputed claims may take longer. We keep you informed throughout the process.

Contact Our Morris County Workers Compensation Lawyers

If you’ve been injured at work anywhere in Morris County—from Morristown to Parsippany, from Dover to East Hanover, from Picatinny Arsenal to the corporate corridors of Florham Park—we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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

---

Serving injured workers throughout all 39 Morris County municipalities. Fighting for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and defense workers.