Workers’ Compensation Law in Action | On-Demand CLE Labor Law Webinar

Workers’ Compensation Law in Action: From Claim to Courtroom | On-Demand CLE Labor Law Webinar

Broadcast Date: Friday, December 19, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (ET)

Workers’ compensation remains one of the most active areas of practice in New Jersey, requiring attorneys to understand the procedural rules, evidentiary standards, and unique forum of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. For newly admitted New Jersey attorneys, mastering these fundamentals early on is key to building confidence and competence in client representation.

Join Craig Voorhees, Partner, at Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, P.C., and Todd D. Wachtel, Partner, at Levinson Axelrod, P.A., as they provide a practical, step-by-step overview of how a workers’ compensation case moves from the initial claim petition to final judgment. Through real-world examples and guidance from these experienced practitioners, attendees will gain the tools needed to effectively advocate for clients—whether representing injured workers or employers. 

What You Will Learn in this Webinar

• How to properly file and respond to a workers’ compensation claim petition in New Jersey
• Discovery procedures and handling medical evidence
• Pre-trial conferences, settlements, and section 20 resolutions
• Conducting hearings before a Judge of Compensation
• Ethical and procedural rules specific to New Jersey workers’ compensation practice

Agenda

Craig Voorhees, Partner, Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, P.C.

&

Todd D. Wachtel, Partner, Levinson Axelrod, P.A.

OUTLINE: New Jersey Workers’ Compensation — Practical Overview

I. FOUNDATIONS OF NEW JERSEY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

A. History & Purpose of Workers’ Compensation

• Origins and social contract
• Exclusive remedy concept

B. Who Is Covered? (Employment Status)

• Employee vs independent contractor
• Special employment / lent employees
• Volunteers, interns, statutory employees

C. What Counts as a Compensable Claim?

1.     Traumatic vs Occupational

2.     “Arising out of and in the course of employment”

o    Employment risks

o    Neutral and personal risks

o    Idiopathic events

3.     Presumptions (public safety, Canzanella, COVID era, etc.)

4.     Common Defenses

o    Intentional self-harm

o    Intoxication

o    Personal risk

o    Deviation from employment

D. Procedural Framework

• Statute of limitations
• Notice requirements

II. BENEFITS & WHAT THEY MEAN IN PRACTICE

A. Wages & Rate Determination

• AWW calculations
• Min/max rates

B. Temporary Disability Benefits

• Eligibility
• Duration
• Return-to-work issues (light duty, refusal of suitable work)

C. Medical Treatment

• Authorized vs unauthorized care
• Change of physician
• Diagnostics & delays
• What happens when treatment “goes wrong”

o    Motions for med/temp

o    Emergent care procedures

D. Permanency

• Partial total
• Total disability
• Second Injury Fund overview
• Reopener rights under 34:15-27

E. Dependency Claims

• Who qualifies
• Proof requirements

F. Uninsured Employers Fund

• When it applies
• Practical limitations

III. LITIGATION PROCESS — LIFE OF A CLAIM PETITION

A. Filing the Claim Petition

• Jurisdiction & venue
• CP vs Application for Med/Temp

B. Discovery Phase

• IMEs
• Treating records
• Depositions
• Vocational evaluations (when appropriate)

C. Negotiating Resolution

1.     Orders Approving Settlement (OAS)

2.     Section 20 settlements

3.     Judicial recommendations and valuation

4.     Lien considerations before settlement

D. Trial

• Testimony (petitioner, employer, experts)
• Burden of proof
• Judge’s findings

IV. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. Liens

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Child support
• Private health insurance
• Third-party (Section 40) claims

B. Interaction With External Benefit Systems

• Social Security Disability
• State Temporary Disability
• Pensions & disability pensions

C. Fraud & Compliance (brief)

• Red flags
• Penalties

Why Attend This Webinar?

By attending this CLE labor law webinar, you will:

• Earn CLE credit online from the comfort of your office or home.

• Access both the live webinar and the on-demand recording at your convenience.

• Gain a step-by-step understanding of how a New Jersey workers’ compensation case progresses—from the initial claim petition to final judgment—with practical insights for effective client advocacy.

• Fulfill continuing legal education requirements in a practical, engaging format tailored to legal professionals.

Who Should Attend

• New Jersey Newly Admitted Attorneys

Master the Essentials of New Jersey Workers’ Compensation!

Join this CLE labor law webinar for a practical walkthrough of how a workers’ compensation case moves from claim petition to final judgment. Learn key procedural rules, evidentiary standards, and advocacy strategies to confidently represent injured workers or employers—all while earning CLE credit tailored for newly admitted New Jersey attorneys.

Please check the credit section below for the details for your state and do not hesitate to contact the Knowledge Group if you have any questions.