New Jersey Register

September 11, 2013

A rule amendment proposed by the New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation will increase the maximum weekly workers' compensation benefit rate 2.1% − to $843 from $826 − on January 1. Maximum workers' compensation benefit rates are adjusted each year based on the average weekly wage. New Jersey claimants receive a maximum of 70% of their weekly wage up to 75% of the statewide average weekly wage, to be adjusted annually, according to the statute. A public hearing on the proposed rules change is scheduled for September 25.

What does this all mean for New Jersey employers? Most likely, a lot more claims for a lot more money. The reason why I say this is based on experience. Somehow people who are making very high salaries never seem to stay out of work when they get injured on the job. It is the low salary people who tend to stay out of work for long periods of time. When employees receive 70% of their salary tax-free while out of work, they tend to stay out of work longer. All this translates into higher experience mods and higher premiums for the employer.

The quickest and easiest way to lower your workers compensation experience mods and premiums is through workers compensation premium recovery. We knock down your current and prior experience mods and obtain refunds on your premiums. Our fee is contingency-based so you ONLY pay us for results. It's a win-win.