New Jersey pays workers comp at 70% of AWW — the highest base rate among major states. Combined with the 2-year reopener right, 26-week PPD assessment delay, and a generous schedule (arm 330, leg 315 weeks), NJ's system gives injured workers strong statutory protections. This calculator uses N.J.S.A. 34:15 to estimate your benefits.
Operated by Mustafa Bilgic, non-attorney individual. Schedule weeks and the 70% rate from N.J.S.A. 34:15-12. Max PPD rate = 75% of SAWW (updates annually). Verify at NJ Division of Workers' Compensation.
| Item | New Jersey rule | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| TTD rate | 70% of AWW | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| Max PPD rate | 75% of SAWW (verify at NJ DWC) | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| Waiting period | 7 days (retroactive if disability exceeds 7 days) | N.J.S.A. 34:15-16 |
| PPD assessment delay | 26 weeks after final treatment or return to work | N.J.S.A. 34:15-16 |
| PPD: Arm | 330 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Leg | 315 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Hand | 245-260 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Foot | 230-250 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Eye | 200 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Hearing (both) | 200 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| PPD: Thumb | 75-80 weeks | N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 |
| Reopener | 2 years from last payment | N.J.S.A. 34:15-27 |
| Statute of limitations | 2 years from accident or last payment | N.J.S.A. 34:15-51 |
| Doctor choice | Employee selects from day one | N.J.S.A. 34:15-15 |
New Jersey pays temporary disability at 70% of average weekly wages, compared to the 66 2/3% used by most states. While the difference appears small (70% vs. 66.67%), over months or years of disability the gap is significant. A worker earning $1,200 per week receives $840 in NJ versus $800 in a 66 2/3% state — an extra $40 per week or $2,080 over a year of disability.
The 70% rate also applies to permanent partial disability schedule awards, making NJ schedule benefits inherently larger than mathematically identical percentage-of-schedule awards in 66 2/3% states. Combined with NJ's longer schedule weeks (arm 330 vs. IL 253, GA 225), the total PPD value for the same injury can be substantially higher in New Jersey.
New Jersey uniquely requires a 26-week waiting period before permanent disability can be assessed or awarded. Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-16, no PPD determination or award can be made until at least 26 weeks after the employee's final active medical treatment or return to work, whichever is earlier. This ensures the impairment has truly stabilized before a permanent rating is assigned, but it also delays the settlement timeline compared to states where PPD can be assessed as soon as the worker reaches MMI.
Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-27, a worker may reopen a claim within 2 years of the last payment of compensation if the condition worsens. This right survives even after a settlement, which means a worker who accepts a settlement today can petition for additional benefits within 2 years if the injury deteriorates. The reopener right makes New Jersey settlements less "final" than in states that use strict Compromise and Release agreements, and insurers factor this risk into their settlement offers.
70% rate, N.J.S.A. 34:15 schedule. Educational only.
New Jersey has a unique progressive rate feature: for PPD awards lasting more than 181 weeks, the weekly rate increases incrementally. The statute scales the rate from 35% of SAWW at the base to 75% of SAWW for longer durations. This means workers with severe impairments that generate large week counts receive progressively higher weekly rates as the award extends. Combined with NJ's already high 70% base rate, this progressive feature can significantly increase the total value of major injury claims compared to states with flat rates throughout the award duration.
New Jersey is one of the most worker-friendly states for medical provider choice. Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-15, the injured worker may select their own physician from the first day of the claim. There is no employer panel requirement and no initial employer-directed treatment period. The employer or insurer may request an independent medical examination, but the worker is never required to treat with a provider chosen by the other side.
New Jersey pays temporary disability at 70% of average weekly wages under N.J.S.A. 34:15-12, compared to the 66 2/3% (approximately 66.67%) used by most states. This higher base percentage, combined with a maximum capped at 75% of the statewide AWW, makes NJ one of the most generous states for wage replacement during recovery.
Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-16, permanent disability cannot be assessed or awarded until at least 26 weeks after the employee's final active medical treatment or return to work, whichever is earlier. This delay ensures the impairment has stabilized before a permanent rating is assigned. Exceptions exist for amputations and enucleation.
Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-27, a worker may reopen a workers comp claim within 2 years of the last payment of compensation if the condition worsens. This reopener right means that even after a settlement, the worker may seek additional benefits if the injury deteriorates within 2 years of the last indemnity payment.
Yes. New Jersey allows the injured worker to select their own treating physician from the beginning of the claim. The employer may request an independent medical examination, but the worker is not required to treat with a provider chosen by the employer or insurer.
N.J.S.A. 34:15-12 assigns maximum weeks per body part: arm 330 weeks, leg 315 weeks, hand 245-260 weeks, foot 230-250 weeks, eye 200 weeks, thumb 75-80 weeks. The PPD rate is 70% of AWW, capped at 75% of SAWW. For awards lasting more than 181 weeks, the rate increases progressively.
Under N.J.S.A. 34:15-51, a claim petition must be filed within 2 years of the date of accident or within 2 years of the last payment of compensation. For occupational diseases, the deadline runs from the date the worker knew or should have known the condition was work-related.
New Jersey has a 7-day waiting period. If disability extends beyond 7 days, compensation is paid retroactively from the first day of disability. This is an unusually low retroactive threshold — most states require 14 or 21 days before benefits become retroactive.
No. Operated by Mustafa Bilgic, non-attorney individual operator. Educational research only. Consult a licensed New Jersey workers compensation attorney.