Trial Judge Deference Prevails

How Appellate Courts Respect Workers' Compensation Findings and Why Prior Rulings Don't Always Bar Future Claims

Mental Health Gets Protection

New Jersey has taken a groundbreaking step forward in supporting the mental health of its first responders. Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 5792, which requires workers' compensation to cover 12 hours of counseling for first responders following certain traumatic events. This legislation, now codified as P.L. 2025, c. 134, took effect on August 21, 2025, marking a significant expansion of workers' compensation benefits for mental health issues.

NJ Fights Worker Misclassification

Worker misclassification has become a significant battleground in New Jersey, with state labor officials taking increasingly aggressive action against employers who improperly classify employees as independent contractors. Recent enforcement actions demonstrate the state's commitment to protecting workers' rights and ensuring access to crucial benefits.

Asbestos Ban Under Fire

The battle over America's long-awaited ban on asbestos has reached a critical juncture in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where the 2024 EPA rule faces fierce industry challenges that could determine the fate of worker safety protections nationwide.

Celebrating 5 Million Views: A Testament to Our Community's Commitment to Workers' Compensation Excellence

Today marks an extraordinary milestone for The Workers' Compensation Blog—we have reached 5,000,000 views. This achievement belongs not to us alone, but to the remarkable community of legal professionals, scholars, and practitioners who have made this platform a cornerstone of workers' compensation discourse.

NJ Workers' Compensation Premium Drops Again

New Jersey's workers' compensation landscape continues its remarkable transformation as employers prepare for another premium reduction in 2026. The New Jersey Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (NJCRIB) has established a pattern of consistent rate decreases, with a 6.9% statewide average decrease approved for 2025, continuing what industry experts now recognize as an unprecedented decade-long trend of premium relief for Garden State employers.

Jersey Fights COVID Workplace Risks

New Jersey's bold move to expand COVID-19 vaccine access represents a critical step forward in workplace safety and pandemic preparedness at a time when other states are moving in the opposite direction. The Garden State's recent Executive Directive No. 25-003 and accompanying Standing Order demonstrate how state-level leadership can protect workers and communities when federal guidance falls short.