Workers' Compensation: NJ "Hand and Foot" Clarification Bill Advances

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

NJ "Hand and Foot" Clarification Bill Advances

The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced legislation S2722 that clarifies the effective date of the recently enacted hand or foot bill, of P.L.2019, c.387, to include cases pending, but not yet settled or filed after the date of enactment. That legislation increased benefits to injured workers.

The bill was released from the Committee with seven yes votes to zero no votes and with 1 abstention

The legislation was provoked by defense law firms and insurance companies who adopted a scorched earth policy concerning the enactment date in order to stymie payment of the additional benefits that were enacted recently.

The NJ Assembly passed the clarification legislation A4134 on August 27, 2020, with an overwhelming vote of seventy yes votes and five against with three members not voting and three abstentions.

The action by the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee clearly sets forth the liberal, social remedial intent of the Workers’ Compensation Act of providing benefits to those who are injured while working. The NJ Senate bill now goes to the full NJ Senate for review.

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