Workers' Compensation: Governor Chris Christie

NJ Governor Chris Christie has vetoed legislation that would would have created a presumption that of compensability for first responders who contracted cancer. He calls NJ workers' compensation system "successful" as is.

S-1778/A-1196 (Greenstein/Stender, Egan, O’Donnell, Wimberly) – ABSOLUTE - ‟Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act”; concerns workers’ compensation for public safety workers.

July 18, 2013
SENATE BILL NO. 1778
(First Reprint)
To the Senate:
Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New
Jersey Constitution, I am returning Senate Bill No. 1778 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Since New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law was enacted
more than a century ago, the unique circumstances surrounding
workplace injuries of all employees – including our State’s
public safety workers – have been considered in the context of
the fact-sensitive circumstances surrounding each incident.
This time-tested process appropriately balances all facts
necessary to determine a proper compensation award. In
contrast, this bill alters that careful balance by providing
public safety workers with a presumption to workers’
compensation, rebuttable only by clear and convincing evidence.
This sweeping new standard would apply to disabilities
associated with an array of enumerated incidents and, in some
cases, disabilities not tethered to any work-related incident at
all.
As a State, we must continually recognize the selfless
contributions of our first responders. Day in and day out,
these brave women and men make enormous sacrifices in order to
ensure our collective safety, health, and well-being against all
manner of threats. That essential public service, and the costs
associated with the injuries those duties may cause, must be
administered in a responsible manner that matches our public
resources. Although this measure would likely have a
significant impact on State, local, and municipal government
budgets, the bill’s sponsors refused to obtain a fiscal analysis
or refer the bill to either house’s respective budget
committees. Regrettably, the Legislature’s failure to pursue
the responsible course of thoroughly reviewing the significant
changes to a successful and long-standing system, and the
corresponding impact of this proposal on taxpayers, prevent my
approval.
Our public safety workers are vital to our State and I am
committed to ensuring their well-being and protection. Reasoned
suggestions for improving those practices should be openly and
honestly evaluated. While I welcome a discussion on new ways to
enhance the lives of emergency responders, the truncated and
insufficient manner in which this proposal was prepared and
passed is not consistent with our responsibility as elected
representatives of all citizens.
Accordingly, I herewith return Senate Bill No. 1778 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Respectfully,
[seal] /s/ Chris Christie
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Charles B. McKenna

Chief Counsel to the Governor

Read more about workers compensation and Governor Christie

NJ Governor Christie to Propose Workers' Compensation Reform

Apr 23, 2013

“'We're going to be coming up with a package of proposals that's going to work both sides of that,' Christie told a caller on his monthly NJ 101.5 FM radio show tonight. 'The employers who may not be stepping up and meeting ...

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For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.