Acting Governor Signs Legislation Increasing Counsel Fees to 25% in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari signed legislation increasing counsel fees for petitioners’ attorneys from 20% to 25%.  This change in the law is codified in N.J.S.A. 34:15-64. The statute now reads as follows:  “The official conducting any hearing under this chapter may allow to…

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Richard Oetting v. Hageman Roofing, et. al. – Personal Injury and Workers Compensation

Richard Oetting v. Hageman Roofing, et. al. Docket No. A-0505-21 Decided December 1, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Court of New Jersey decided plaintiff’s appeal from an order granting summary judgment in favor of defendants. One of the defendants, Riverview Realty owns a building…

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The Special Mission Exception to Workers Compensation Permits Compensation for Employees That Are Required to Be Away from the Conventional Place of Employment

Gregory Van Sciver v. Jersey Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Docket No. A-3524-20 Decided November 15, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Court of New Jersey decided respondent/appellant, Jersey Mechanical Contractor’s, appeal from the order awarding petitioner workers’ compensation benefits. The facts of this case are as…

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Reversed: Imposition of An Additional Penalty of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement Due to Delay in Payment

Louis Ripp v. County of Hudson Docket No.: A-2972-20 Decided June 3, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reversed the imposition of an additional penalty of a Workers’ Compensation settlement due to delay in payment. In Ripp, Louis Ripp worked for…

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Reversed: The Imposition of an Additional Penalty of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement Due to Delay in Payment.

Louis Ripp v. County of Hudson Docket No.: A-2972-20 Decided June 3, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent published decision, the Appellate Division of New Jersey reversed the imposition of an additional penalty of a Workers’ Compensation settlement due to delay in payment. In Ripp, Louis Ripp worked for…

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A Petitioner Bears the Burden to Establish the Compensability of The Worker’s Compensation Claim

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET No. A-3625-19 ANDREW MACKOFF, Petitioner-Appellant, v. NEW BRUNSWICK SAW SERVICE, Respondent-Respondent. __________________________ Submitted March 3, 2021 – Decided July 14, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Petitioner was employed by New Brunswick Saw Services as a salesperson and account manager. Respondent sells and services…

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Workers’ Compensation Claims and Re-injuring Previous Injuries

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-5547-18 PATRICIA COSTANZO, Petitioner-Appellant, v. MERIDIAN REHAB, Respondent-Respondent. __________________________ Argued June 2, 2021 – Decided June 17, 2021 Submitted by New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. On April 1, 2016, petitioner was working for Meridian Rehab. When performing her duties, she slipped and fell to the…

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