Opinion ID: 1542384
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Herzer v. Classic Cars Nissan, Inc.

Text: Francis J. Herzer died on March 26, 2003, from coronary artery disease and renal failure developed as a result of occupational exposure during his employment with Classic Cars Nissan, Inc. At the time of his death, his average gross weekly wages were $260.00 and his only surviving dependent was his wife, Ruth Ann Herzer (Herzer). Herzer filed a successful claim for death benefits and, on January 8, 2004, the Workers' Compensation court entered an order approving a settlement in Herzer's favor and awarding benefits. The final award set Herzer's benefit rate at fifty percent of her late husband's wages, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 34:15-13(a) (2003). Following entry of the judgment, the employer, Classic Cars Nissan, Inc., commenced payment to Herzer at that rate, resulting in a weekly payment of $130.00. Although that matter had already been resolved by the entry of the order approving the settlement, after the statute was amended, Herzer sought to increase her benefits to the new seventy percent rate. The judge of compensation to whom her matter was assigned was the same one who had decided the Bush claim. Relying on the rationale expressed in his previously-announced decision in that matter, the judge granted Herzer's petition. He therefore reopened the judgment and awarded her increased benefits at a rate of seventy percent of her late husband's wages, retroactive to January 14, 2004, the effective date of the amendment to the statute. Classic Cars Nissan, Inc. filed its notice of appeal on May 26, 2004. [1]