YES. If you suffer from an injury or work-related condition based upon demonstrable objective medical evidence, which restricts the function of the body and has a material impact on your ability to work or your life outside of work, then you are entitled to receive permanent disability benefits in New Jersey.
When a job related injury or illness results in a partial permanent disability, benefits are based upon a percentage of certain “scheduled” or “non-scheduled” losses. A “scheduled” loss is one involving arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, eyes, ears or teeth. A “non-scheduled” loss is one involving any area or system of the body not specifically identified in the schedule, such as the back, the heart, the lungs. These benefits are paid weekly and are due after the date temporary disability ends.
To obtain either partial permanent disability benefits or total permanent disability benefits in the most serious types of cases, you will need to hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to file a Claim Petition on your behalf with the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation. Call one of the attorneys at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP today for a free consultation to review your rights to obtain permanent disability benefits.