NJ Division of Workers’ Compensation closed to the public and to non-essential court personnel until June 8, 2020

The Director and Chief Judge of the NJ DIvision of Workers' Compensation has announced that additional judges of compensation will actively join the staff during the statewide COVID-19 emergency.

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Notice to the Bar

May 21, 2020

This notice announces additional statewide steps by the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation to address the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis in New Jersey.

In accordance with Governor Murphy’s previous Executive Orders, all N.J. Workers’ Compensation Courts shall continue to be closed to the public and to non-essential court personnel until Monday, June 8, 2020.

All thirty-three (33) Judges of Compensation previously assigned by the Director and Chief Judge shall continue to hear as many workers’ compensation matters as possible in their assigned vicinage by telephonic and video conferencing, including emergent and non-emergent matters, such as, trials, pre- trial conferences, motions for medical and temporary benefits, general motions, and settlements.

Effective Tuesday, May 26, 2020, the following five (5) workers’ compensation judges shall also hear matters in the following vicinages:

• Hon. James Robertson - Atlantic City Vicinage 
• Hon. Leslie Berich - Freehold Vicinage
• Hon. Anthony Mautone - Jersey City Vicinage 
• Hon. Gerald Massell - New Brunswick Vicinage 
• Hon. Robert Prisco - Plainfield Vicinage

There will be no in-person Workers’ Compensation Court proceedings except limited emergent matters and limited ongoing trials and motions for medical and temporary benefits, in which case masks shall be worn by all parties and social distancing shall 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

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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com  has been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Blog: Workers ' Compensation

Twitter: jongelman

LinkedIn: JonGelman

LinkedIn Group: Injured Workers Law & Advocacy Group

Author: "Workers' Compensation Law" West-Thomson-Reuters