Top 10 Developments In New Jersey Workers' Compensation In 2021

• Published date: 15 December 2021
• Subject Matter: Employment and HR, Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Health & Safety, Trials & Appeals & Compensation, Personal Injury
• Law Firm: Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin
• Author: Ms Kiara K. Hartwell

1. The Appellate Division affirmed a Judge of Compensation's decision to include the petitioner's portion of attorneys' fees and costs in the employer's Section 40 lien.

Panckeri v. Allentown Police Dep't, Docket No. A-2015-19 (Appellate Division, Decided Mar. 2, 2021)

In this per curiam decision, the Appellate Division enforced a statutory lien, agreeing with the Judge of Compensation that the petitioner's share of costs and fees should be included as a part of the subrogation calculation. In affirming the judge's decision, the Appellate Division heavily relied on the judge's reasons and only added that the petitioner's reliance on Kuhnel v. CNA Insurance Cos., 322 N.J. Super. 568 (App. Div. 1999) was misplaced, as the petitioner's share of fees and costs was not addressed Kuhnel was decided eight years prior to the 2007 amendment of Section 40, in which there was no mention of a petitioner's portion of fees and costs.

2. The New Jersey Supreme Court addressed medical marijuana in workers' compensation cases.

Hager v. M&K Constr., 246 N.J., 1247 A.3d 864 (2021)

The New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed both the workers' compensation court's order and the Appellate Division's to order a respondent to reimburse a petitioner's medical marijuana costs. First, the Supreme Court found the employer did not qualify as "a government medical assistance program or private health insurer" under the Compassionate Use Act and N.J.S.A. 24:6I-14 and that medical marijuana was a reasonable and necessary treatment. Finally, the Supreme Court noted the employer was not aiding and abetting the petitioner's possession of marijuana by reimbursing medical marijuana costs.

3. The Appellate Division affirmed dismissal of a workers' compensation case based on the premises rule.

Pilone v. Cnty. of Middlesex, Docket No. A-1676-19, (Appellate Division, Decided Mar. 15, 2021)

The Appellate Division agreed with the judge's decision that the petitioner's injury was not compensable as it did not arise out of and in the course of employment. In reiterating that the premises rule limits an employer's liability to locations that the employer controls, such as by ownership, maintenance or exclusive use, the Appellate Division noted the respondent had no control over the sidewalk where the petitioner fell. In addition, the Appellate Division pointed out the petitioner failed to prove the respondent directed her to have her meeting in the donut shop.

4. The Appellate Division affirmed a judge's...