How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in New Jersey
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · New Jersey · Last updated 2026-09-07
New Jersey channels contested workers' compensation cases to a specialized judge of compensation, within a no-fault system administered by the Division of Workers' Compensation in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development that gives an employee hurt on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits with no need to prove the employer was at fault. Two deadlines are critical. You must give your employer notice of the injury within 90 days of its occurrence, or no compensation is allowed (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17), and you have two years from the date of the accident, or from the last payment of compensation, to file a formal Claim Petition (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51). New Jersey works differently from states with an employee claim form. You report the injury to your employer, the employer's insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State and directs your medical care, and if the carrier disputes your benefits you file a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing with the Division of Workers' Compensation. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in New Jersey
Where are you after your work injury?
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in New Jersey?
First, report your injury to your employer as soon as possible; New Jersey sets an outer limit of 90 days (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17). Your employer's insurance carrier then files a First Report of Injury and directs your treatment. If the carrier disputes your benefits, you file a formal Claim Petition with the Division of Workers' Compensation.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in New Jersey?
Two deadlines matter. You must notify your employer of the injury within 90 days of its occurrence, or no compensation is allowed (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17). Separately, you have two years from the accident date, or from the last payment of compensation, to file a Claim Petition (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51). Missing either can bar your benefits.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in New Jersey?
New Jersey's system is administered by the Division of Workers' Compensation, part of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Your employer's insurance carrier decides your benefits day to day. If a dispute arises, a judge of compensation resolves it after you file a Claim Petition or request an informal hearing.
What form do I file for a workers' compensation claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no employee claim form that opens your case. You report the injury, and the employer's carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State. If your benefits are disputed, you file a formal Claim Petition, or an Application for an Informal Hearing, with the Division of Workers' Compensation.
New Jersey workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In New Jersey, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Division of Workers' Compensation within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and contested cases are decided by a judge of compensation. You must give your employer notice of the injury within 90 days of its occurrence, or no compensation is allowed (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17); notice can be spoken and given to any supervisor. The employer's insurance carrier then files a First Report of Injury and directs your treatment. New Jersey has no employee claim form to open the case. If the carrier disputes your benefits, you file a formal Claim Petition, and you have two years from the accident or the last payment of compensation to do so (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51).
Filing a New Jersey workers' compensation claim after a warehouse shoulder strain
Suppose you are a New Jersey warehouse order picker and develop a repetitive-strain shoulder injury on the job. You tell your supervisor within days of connecting it to your work, staying well inside the 90-day notice limit (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17). Your employer's insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury and sends you to its authorized doctor, who treats your back. Months later the carrier stops paying and disputes whether you still need care. Because you have two years from the accident, or from the last payment of compensation, to act (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51), you file a formal Claim Petition with the Division of Workers' Compensation. A judge of compensation is assigned, and your case proceeds. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
N.J.S.A. 34:15-17 (90-day notice of injury to employer)
Provides that unless the employer has actual knowledge, or notice is given, within 90 days after the occurrence of the injury, no compensation shall be allowed. Notice within 14 days gives the strongest protection, and notice within 30 days bars most defects absent employer prejudice.
N.J.S.A. 34:15-51 (two-year deadline to file a Claim Petition)
Requires a claimant to submit a Claim Petition to the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years after the date of the accident, or, if compensation has been paid, within two years after the last payment of compensation. Authorized medical treatment counts as payment.
New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation, What to do if you are injured at work
The Division's injured-worker guidance tells employees to notify the employer as soon as possible, explains that the employer's insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State, and describes the medical care and benefits process administered by the Division.
New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation, Navigating a dispute
Explains that when there is a dispute over entitlement to benefits, the worker may file either a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing with the Division, and that the case is assigned to a judge and a district office based on the worker's county of residence.
Regional Variances
New Jersey workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Notice to the employer within 90 days of the injury's occurrence, under N.J.S.A. 34:15-17. No compensation is allowed if notice is not given within 90 days. Notice can be spoken and given to any supervisor.
How the claim opens
There is no employee claim form. After you report the injury, the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State and directs your medical treatment.
Filing deadline
Two years to file a formal Claim Petition, running from the date of the accident or, if compensation was paid, from the last payment of compensation (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51). Authorized treatment counts as payment.
Who administers it
The Division of Workers' Compensation, within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Contested cases are decided by a judge of compensation at a district office.
How disputes are filed
By filing a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing with the Division when the carrier denies, delays, or underpays benefits. The Claim Petition is subject to the two-year deadline.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer
Within 90 days of the injury days after startingNotify your employer of the injury as soon as possible. New Jersey allows no compensation if notice is not given, or the employer does not gain knowledge, within 90 days of its occurrence (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17). Notice within 14 days gives the strongest protection, so tell someone in authority immediately.
Confirm the carrier filed a First Report of Injury
Soon after you report days after startingAfter you report the injury, your employer's insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State and authorizes treatment. Ask who the carrier is and confirm the report was filed. In New Jersey the employer chooses the treating doctor, so use the authorized provider.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek authorized treatment and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the carrier. Document the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions. Records support your claim if the carrier later disputes whether your injury is work-related or how much benefit you are owed.
Track the carrier's decision and deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingThe carrier decides medical, temporary disability, and permanent disability benefits. Calendar any deadline it sets, keep proof of what you send, and record the accident date and any last payment so you can protect the two-year Claim Petition window under N.J.S.A. 34:15-51.
File a Claim Petition if benefits are disputed
Within two years of the accident or last payment days after startingIf the carrier denies, delays, or underpays benefits, file a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing with the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. File early to protect your rights.
Prepare for the judge of compensation
After the Claim Petition is filed days after startingOnce you file, the case is assigned to a judge of compensation and a district office near where you live. Gather your medical records, wage information, and notice details. Attorney review of your Claim Petition and hearing preparation is available through DocDraft.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer | Notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible. New Jersey allows no compensation if notice is not given, or the employer does not gain knowledge, within 90 days of its occurrence (N.J.S.A. 34:15-17). Notice within 14 days gives the strongest protection, so tell someone in authority immediately. | - | Within 90 days of the injury |
| Confirm the carrier filed a First Report of Injury | After you report the injury, your employer's insurance carrier files a First Report of Injury with the State and authorizes treatment. Ask who the carrier is and confirm the report was filed. In New Jersey the employer chooses the treating doctor, so use the authorized provider. | - | Soon after you report |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek authorized treatment and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the carrier. Document the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions. Records support your claim if the carrier later disputes whether your injury is work-related or how much benefit you are owed. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the carrier's decision and deadlines | The carrier decides medical, temporary disability, and permanent disability benefits. Calendar any deadline it sets, keep proof of what you send, and record the accident date and any last payment so you can protect the two-year Claim Petition window under N.J.S.A. 34:15-51. | - | While the claim is pending |
| File a Claim Petition if benefits are disputed | If the carrier denies, delays, or underpays benefits, file a formal Claim Petition or an Application for an Informal Hearing with the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years (N.J.S.A. 34:15-51). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. File early to protect your rights. | - | Within two years of the accident or last payment |
| Prepare for the judge of compensation | Once you file, the case is assigned to a judge of compensation and a district office near where you live. Gather your medical records, wage information, and notice details. Attorney review of your Claim Petition and hearing preparation is available through DocDraft. | - | After the Claim Petition is filed |
Frequently Asked Questions
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