NJ Governor Christie to Propose Workers' Compensation Reform

The NJ Workers' Compensation system is in for a change. Governor Chris Christie of NJ is taking aim at reforming the NJ system.

In the past, unsuccessful major attempts to reform the State's workers' compensation

system have come from interest groups from outside of the State, ie. 1980's national insurance Industry (AIA) concerns. Now the focus is changing, and the proposals for reform will be coming from the the State's Chief Executive, a major coalition builder who has successfully tackled major legislative changes during his term in office.

Historical efforts on workers' compensation reform in NJ have been:

-1974 Following the NJ State Commission on Investigation "Report of the NJ Workmen's Compensation System"
-1980's Following the WCRI Study attempt to adopt AMA Medical Guidelines

-1998 An attempt to increase the calculation of the State Average Weekly Wage, Dependency      Benefits and Legislative Oversight

-2008 Following the NJ Star Ledger expose ("How NJ Fails Workers") on temporary and medical benefit issues

“'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 their obligations and also the employees who are committing fraud on the worker’s comp system,' he said."

Click here to read the complete article:  Christie to present plan to reform N.J. worker's compensation system (NJ.com)

NJ Bill Passes Assembly to Increase Awards for Hand and Feet Injuries

NJ Bill Passes Assembly to Increase Awards for Hand and Feet Injuries
The bill has been sent to Gov. Christie for signature.

NJ is one of the few state that does not follow the AMA Guidelines in determining disability. Disability is scheduled and based on complaints, functional loss and evaluation by the hearing official.

Identical Bill Number: S676     Last Session Bill Number: S639   (1R) A1581       This bill increases the amount of workers' compensation paid in certain cases for the loss of a hand, or thumb and first and second fingers (on one hand) or four fingers (on one hand) or a foot, as follows:      1.    If a loss of function of a hand is determined to be a 25% or more loss of use, the award of workers’ compensation shall be calculated based on a maximum of 300 weeks of compensation for a 100% loss of function; and      2.    If a loss of function of a foot is determined to be a 25% or more loss of use, the award of workers’ compensation shall be calculated based on a maximum of 275 weeks of compensation for a 100% loss of function.      Under current law, the maximum award for the loss of a hand is 245 weeks and the maximum award for the loss of a foot is 230 weeks. Egan, Joseph V.   as Primary Sponsor Evans, Elease   as Primary Sponsor Wisniewski, John S.   as Primary Sponsor Giblin, Thomas P.   as Primary Sponsor Spencer, L. Grace   as Co-Sponsor
9/16/2010 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee 11/28/2011 Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading 12/5/2011 Substituted by S676 Statement - ALA 11/28/11 - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Fiscal Estimate - 12/5/11; as introduced - 3 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Introduced - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Committee Voting: ALA  11/28/2011  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {6}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {1}  -  Roll Call The legislation was previously approved by the NJ Senate. Identical Bill Number: A3166     Last Session Bill Number: S639   (1R) A1581  Sarlo, Paul A.   as Primary Sponsor Gill, Nia H., Esq.   as Primary Sponsor Egan, Joseph V.   as Primary Sponsor Evans, Elease   as Primary Sponsor Wisniewski, John S.   as Primary Sponsor Giblin, Thomas P.   as Primary Sponsor Scutari, Nicholas P.   as Co-Sponsor Spencer, L. Grace   as Co-Sponsor         1/12/2010 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee 2/18/2010 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading 2/22/2010 Passed by the Senate (24-12) 2/25/2010 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee 11/28/2011 Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading 12/5/2011 Substituted for A3166 12/5/2011 Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (59-15-4) Introduced - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill - 8 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - SLA 2/18/10 - 1 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Fiscal Estimate - 3/1/10; as introduced - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - ALA 11/28/11 - 2 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Committee Voting: SLA  2/18/2010  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {4}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {0}  -  Roll Call ALA  11/28/2011  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {6}  No {2}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {1}  -  Roll Call Session Voting: Sen.    2/22/2010  -  3RDG FINAL PASSAGE   -  Yes {24}  No {12}  Not Voting {4}    -  Roll Call

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