Workers' Compensation: NJ To Expand Workers' Compensation Court Operations During the COVID-19 Emergency

Effective Monday, May 4, 2020 the NJ Division of Workers’ Compensation will operate under an expanded schedule under the COVID-19 emergency. The announced expansion of operations was announced by Chief Judge Russell Wojtenko, Jr. in a Notice to the Bar dated April 27, 2020.

Notice to the Bar

This notice announces additional statewide steps by the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation to address the ongoing public health crisis in New Jersey.

Effective May 4, 2020, the following workers’ compensation judges shall hear as many workers’ compensation matters as possible in their assigned vicinage by telephonic conferencing, and if possible by video conferencing, including all emergent and non-emergent matters, including trials, pre-trial conferences, motions for medical and temporary benefits, general motions, and settlements:

Hon. Audrey Kernan and Hon. Francis Reuss - Atlantic City Vicinage
Hon. Arthur Marchand - Bridgeton Vicinage
Hon. Ingrid French and Hon. Bradley Henson - Camden Vicinage
Hon. Lionel Simon III and Hon. Watson Berich - Freehold Vicinage
Hon. Diana Ferriero and Hon. Michael Dillon - Hackensack Vicinage
Hon. Jill Fader and Hon. John McGovern - Jersey City Vicinage
Hon. Glenn Kaplan - Lebanon Vicinage
Hon. Michael Luther - Mt. Arlington Vicinage
Hon. George Geist and Hon. Robert Sebera - Mt. Holly Vicinage
Hon. Ashley Hutchinson and Hon. Robert Thuring - New Brunswick Vicinage
Hon. Philip Tornetta and Hon. Christopher Leitner - Newark Vicinage
Hon. William Roca and Hon. Kenneth Campen - Paterson Vicinage
Hon. Maria Del Valle Koch and Hon. Diana Montes - Plainfield Vicinage
Hon. Eugene Mulvaney and Carmine Taglialatella - Toms River Vicinage
Hon. David Puma - Trenton Vicinage

All N.J. workers’ compensation courts shall remain closed to the public and to non-essential court personnel until May 11, 2020.

There will be no in-person Workers’ Compensation Court proceedings (except for extremely limited emergent matters, motions for medical and temporary benefits, trials, and/or settlements, in which case social distancing will be enforced).

Court offices will remain closed for in-person submissions. Filings will continue to be accepted electronically through COURTS On-line.

Please contact each individual workers’ compensation court if you have questions about a scheduled hearing, motion, conference, or other matter by email, fax, or telephone.

Hon. Russell Wojtenko, Jr.
Director and Chief Judge of Compensation
N.J. Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation

Related information:

Senator Sweeney Bill Would Expand NJ Workers’ Comp Benefits for ‘Essential Workers’ Sickened in Covid Crisis 05/05/2020

Is the workers' compensation system ready for the 2019-nCoV [coronavirus] virus? Live Updates

Notice To The NJ Bar: Public Access To Court Events During Covid-19 - Directives #11-20 ("Supreme Court Guidelines On Media Access And Electronic Devices In The Courts") And #12-20 ("Principles And Protocols For Virtual Court Operations During The Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic") njjudiciary.com AOC 4/28/2020

Analysts Tally Workers Comp Cost of Assuming On-The_Job Exposure to COVID-19 carriermanagement.com 4/25/20

A Federal Heroes Compensation Fund 4/24/2020

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Family Leave Protections During COVID-19 Outbreak 4/22/20

NJ Workers’ Compensation and the New Virtual Reality

NJ Law Expands Employee Benefits During the COVID Pandemic

HHS Relaxes HIPPA Rules During COVID Pandemic