Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) has announced that two Workers’ Compensation reform bills he introduced (A359-A and A386), have both passed the Assembly and Senate. The bills now go to the Governor for his signature.

“As a former Workers Compensation judge and attorney representing injured workers, I’ve seen too many workers get injured on the job only to get stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare with an unresponsive Workers’ Compensation Board. This legislation will go a long way to helping injured workers regain lost wage benefits and receive the treatment they need to recover and return to the workforce,” said Jacobson.

Under existing Workers’ Compensation law, workers whose employer do not have a valid Workers’ Compensation insurance policy are covered by the Uninsured Employers Fund (UEF). However, it often takes the Workers’ Compensation Board three to six months to determine whether the UEF must be appointed. During this wait, workers find it almost impossible to receive medical treatment and benefits for lost wages are not paid.

“An injured worker should not be penalized because the employer did not follow the law and have insurance,” said Jacobson.