Payment for Medical Treatment and Expenses - New Jersey Workers Comp Lawyer
The New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law provides that an injured employee shall receive various types of medical treatment and payment for expenses including:
- Medical and hospital service: “The employer shall furnish to the injured worker such medical, surgical and other treatment, and hospital service as shall be necessary to cure and relieve the worker of the effects of the injury and to restore the functions of the injured member or organ where such restoration is possible.”
- Hospital and nursing home services: “Whenever hospital service is required to cure or to relieve an injured worker of the effects of the injury or to restore the functions of the injured member or organ or to provide treatment for occupational disease in accordance with the provisions of the chapter hereby supplemented, the injured worker shall be entitled to hospital service of a quality and character no less than that provided for patients receiving services known as “semi-private” room care, and shall be entitled to such nursing service as may be deemed proper.”
The statute does not provide an inclusive listing, however. Other medical treatments that are covered by workers’ compensation depending on the extent and nature of an employee’s injury include:
- Emergency room: Medical treatments and services provided in an emergency room for an urgent work-related injury.
- Imaging services: Necessary imaging services, including x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
- Testing: Medical testing, including blood tests and similar procedures, by a workers’ compensation-approved physician.
- Rehabilitation: Treatments such as occupational therapy or physical therapy. A New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer can review your specific injury and situation and determine what types of treatment are necessary for your overall health and welfare.
What Medical Treatments Are Not Covered?
Just as the New Jersey statute does not provide an itemized listing of medical treatments and expenses that are covered by workers’ compensation, the law similarly fails to provide an exhaustive listing of services that are not covered. Experimental drugs and treatments are not covered, although any injured employee can obtain such services at their own expense. Other services that are not likely covered include acupuncture and biofeedback.
If you believe a specific medical treatment or procedure is imperative to your overall recovery or cure, your New Jersey worker’s comp lawyer can review the specific treatment and determine if a request can be made to workers’ compensation to provide reimbursement.
Contact a New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer with Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. to Learn About Medical Treatments and Expenses
When an employee becomes injured on the job, he or she should not have to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone. Call Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. to discuss the nature and extent of your injuries and to confirm what types of medical treatments and expenses can be paid on your behalf. Contact our office today.
