For many Americans, second jobs have become a fact of life. It’s increasingly common to see people “burning the candle at both ends,” working hard at a full-time job and an additional part-time gig to make ends meet and support their families. This trend seems to accelerate around the holidays when extra money is needed, and seasonal employment opportunities abound.
But what happens if you get hurt at your part-time job, and your injury makes it impossible to work at your full-time job? Would this scenario spell disaster for your family, heading into what’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year?
Not with the help of our Camden County workers’ compensation lawyers! We provide legal counsel for hard-working people throughout the region who are injured on the job—regardless of the type of job—and fight for the compensation they need and deserve.
Here are some basic things you need to know if you’re injured at your second job and wonder how you’re going to pay your bills.
Wages
You’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when you suffer an injury on the job, but the total amount of those benefits will depend on how much you were earning at the time of the injury.
Part-time jobs typically don’t pay as well as full-time jobs. However, when you file for workers’ compensation benefits in New Jersey, you can combine the wages you earned at both your part-time and full-time jobs when calculating your overall earnings.
The Employer’s Responsibility
Your part-time employer would be responsible for paying your workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured in their service. In New Jersey, employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. You will still need to file a workers’ compensation claim providing evidence of your injury, proof that it was job-related, and details about your wages.
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after an injury and retain full reports from your physician.
What About Your Full-Time Employer?
When injured at your part-time job, the employer at your full-time job will have no financial responsibility regarding your workers’ compensation claim. If you cannot fulfill the responsibilities of that job due to your injury, you can apply for medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Americans With Disabilities Act. These laws protect the right of workers going through difficult times.
Types of Benefits
When you’re injured at work, your employer is required to pay for doctor visits, surgical procedures, physical therapy, and other medical costs. To cover the rest of your expenses while you’re unable to work, there are several different types of disability benefits that an injured worker can receive under New Jersey law. Watch this brief slideshow video for a rundown.
Consult our attorneys for more details on the different types of workers’ compensation benefits and for help determining your eligibility.
Why You Need an Attorney
While you are entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits when you’re injured at your second job, filing a claim and ensuring you receive exactly what you deserve can be a complicated process. You need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side who can collect all the important evidence, make all the essential wage calculations, and get the best possible outcome for you and your family.
The Law Offices of Vincent J. Ciecka, P.C. is here to help! To consult with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers in Gloucester County, NJ, and the surrounding region, give our team a call today!
