NJ Bill Passes Assembly to Increase Awards for Hand and Feet Injuries

NJ Bill Passes Assembly to Increase Awards for Hand and Feet Injuries
The bill has been sent to Gov. Christie for signature.

NJ is one of the few state that does not follow the AMA Guidelines in determining disability. Disability is scheduled and based on complaints, functional loss and evaluation by the hearing official.

Identical Bill Number: S676     Last Session Bill Number: S639   (1R) A1581       This bill increases the amount of workers' compensation paid in certain cases for the loss of a hand, or thumb and first and second fingers (on one hand) or four fingers (on one hand) or a foot, as follows:      1.    If a loss of function of a hand is determined to be a 25% or more loss of use, the award of workers’ compensation shall be calculated based on a maximum of 300 weeks of compensation for a 100% loss of function; and      2.    If a loss of function of a foot is determined to be a 25% or more loss of use, the award of workers’ compensation shall be calculated based on a maximum of 275 weeks of compensation for a 100% loss of function.      Under current law, the maximum award for the loss of a hand is 245 weeks and the maximum award for the loss of a foot is 230 weeks. Egan, Joseph V.   as Primary Sponsor Evans, Elease   as Primary Sponsor Wisniewski, John S.   as Primary Sponsor Giblin, Thomas P.   as Primary Sponsor Spencer, L. Grace   as Co-Sponsor
9/16/2010 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee 11/28/2011 Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading 12/5/2011 Substituted by S676 Statement - ALA 11/28/11 - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Fiscal Estimate - 12/5/11; as introduced - 3 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Introduced - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Committee Voting: ALA  11/28/2011  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {6}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {1}  -  Roll Call The legislation was previously approved by the NJ Senate. Identical Bill Number: A3166     Last Session Bill Number: S639   (1R) A1581  Sarlo, Paul A.   as Primary Sponsor Gill, Nia H., Esq.   as Primary Sponsor Egan, Joseph V.   as Primary Sponsor Evans, Elease   as Primary Sponsor Wisniewski, John S.   as Primary Sponsor Giblin, Thomas P.   as Primary Sponsor Scutari, Nicholas P.   as Co-Sponsor Spencer, L. Grace   as Co-Sponsor         1/12/2010 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee 2/18/2010 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading 2/22/2010 Passed by the Senate (24-12) 2/25/2010 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee 11/28/2011 Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading 12/5/2011 Substituted for A3166 12/5/2011 Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (59-15-4) Introduced - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill - 8 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - SLA 2/18/10 - 1 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Fiscal Estimate - 3/1/10; as introduced - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - ALA 11/28/11 - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Committee Voting: SLA  2/18/2010  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {4}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {0}  -  Roll Call ALA  11/28/2011  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {6}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {1}  -  Roll Call Session Voting: Sen.    2/22/2010  -  3RDG FINAL PASSAGE   -  Yes {24}  No {12}  Not Voting {4}    -  Roll Call

Related articles

• NJ Legislation Seeks To Increase Counsel Fees (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• US Supreme Court Maybe Asked to Rule on CMS Issue: "The Doctrine of Equitable Allocation" (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• State Acts to Restrict Medical Care (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Fallout From The Failure of Super Committee May Cascade Into Workers Compensation Medical Delivery (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Changing the Fundamental Rules of Workers Compensation (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)