How Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Get Paid If the Injured Worker Is Totally Disabled in New Jersey?
Over 35 years of experience. Over $100 million recovered for clients.
How Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Get Paid If the Injured Worker Is Totally Disabled in New Jersey?
Over 35 years of experience. Over $100 million recovered for clients.

How does a workers’ compensation lawyer get paid if the injured worker is totally disabled in New Jersey?

Most workers’ compensation lawyers take cases on a contingency basis. The amount of the lawyers’ fee is set by the Court when the award is entered but cannot exceed 20 percent of the award, meaning that an injured worker will not need to pay for any up-front costs and will only pay for the lawyer’s services if they obtain workers’ compensation benefits and a settlement award on their behalf.
 
If an injured worker is totally disabled in a workplace accident or due to a work-related illness, they will either receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits or Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits.
 
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
 
Workers who miss more than seven days of work due to their illness or injury can receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. TTD benefits are 70 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to a maximum of 75 percent of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage (which was $1,259.82 in 2020). TTD benefits typically end once the worker goes back to work or reaches their Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). MMI is a term referring to the point at which an injured worker will no longer benefit from additional treatment. Once workers exhaust their TTD benefits by reaching their MMI, they may be eligible for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits or Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits.
 
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
 
If workers cannot return to work due to their injuries or disability, they can obtain Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits. PTD benefits are 70 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to a maximum of 75 percent of the Statewide Average Weekly Wage. As of 2021, the maximum amount of weekly PTD benefits is $969. PTD benefits are initially approved for 450 weeks; however, if the worker can show they are still unable to work at the end of the 450 weeks, they may continue to receive benefits.
 
Many workers’ comp cases are settled for a lump-sum amount rather than the insurance company providing ongoing benefits. In this case, a lawyer will receive a portion of the settlement amount. Generally, state law caps the percentage of the attorneys’ fee for a workers’ compensation case to 20 percent of the benefits recovered. In some cases, the employer (or their insurance company) is responsible for 60 percent of the lawyer’s fees, and the injured worker is responsible for 40 percent of the fee. For example, if an injured worker received $10,000 in workers’ comp benefits, the lawyer would receive $2,000 in fees. Of those, the insurance company would pay $1,200, and the worker would pay $800 out of their settlement proceeds. Of course, if the case did not end in the worker obtaining workers’ comp benefits, the lawyer would get nothing.
 
Finally, most workers’ compensation lawyers advance all claim-related costs, so their clients do not need to worry about the cost of bringing a claim. If a worker gets approved for benefits, the judge can allocate these costs between the injured worker and the insurance company. This means that an injured worker may not need to pay for all claims-related costs, even if they successfully obtain benefits.
 
If you have been injured in a New Jersey workplace accident, reach out to the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for immediate assistance. We offer free consultations to accident victims and accept workers’ comp cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is never a fee unless we can help you obtain benefits and a settlement award on your behalf. You can reach us at 973-920-7900 or through our online form.

Other Workers’ Compensation FAQs:

Mr. Leonard’s law firm constantly kept in touch

and on top of my problems. They were quick to respond to my legal needs and were very attentive and showed real concern to my issues. I highly recommend them to anyone needing legal representation.

- Leslie W.
He was relentless

until the case was fully settled and all was in our favor. Thank you so much. We highly recommend his office to anyone.

- E. and M.
The Leonard Law Firm is truly amazing.

They go above and beyond to make sure you get what you deserve.

- Gina V.
I highly recommend using this law firm.

My lawyer Paul Paravati was always available there for me and gave me first rate service.

- Richard B.
Todd Leonard and his staff made me feel like family.

Trust me, he will take you into his hands and take care of all your personal injury legal matters. They are friendly, professional, and go out all the way for you. Thank you Todd Leonard and staff.

- Frank O.
Todd and his staff were courteous and caring about my personal well-being.

They were knowledgeable and settled my case in an expedited manner. I really felt they were on my side the whole way. Thank you Todd and staff for excellent treatment!

- B.H.
You are the most amazing person

and I am indebted to you forever!

- P.S.

A proven track record of success

$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Apartment Fire
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.0Million
Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit
$1.0Million
Slip & Fall Accident
$1.0Million
Fall Down Accident
$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Apartment Fire
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.0Million
Civil Sexual Assault Lawsuit
$1.0Million
Slip & Fall Accident
$1.0Million
Fall Down Accident
$29.5Million
Product Liability & Auto Accident
$3.96Million
Car Accident/Brain Injury
$3.5Million
Drunk Driving Accident
$3.1Million
Slip and Fall: Workers’ Compensation & Premises Liability Accident
$2.94Million
Car Accident Road Defect
$2.5Million
Workplace Construction Accident
$2.25Million
Fall Down Accident
$1.8Million
Car Accident State Vehicle
$1.5Million
Fatal Fire Apartment
$1.36Million
Auto Accident
$1.2Million
Auto Accident
$1.1Million
Slip & Fall Accident

Request a Free Consultation

Being injured or having a family member injured can have serious and lifelong consequences. We can try to ease the burden. Contact us today to learn more about how our team of experienced New Jersey accident attorneys can support you through these challenging times.