Welcome to our Orthopedics Practice Workers’ Compensation Guide! This resource is designed to provide a helpful overview of workers’ compensation in the context of orthopedic injuries. However, it’s important to recognize that this guide is not a substitute for professional advice. For more specific and detailed information tailored to your situation, we recommend visiting the official workers’ compensation portal.
This portal serves as a reliable source for the latest regulations, forms, and additional resources, ensuring you have access to the most current and accurate information. Your well-being is our priority, and we trust that this guide can be a valuable starting point for your understanding of workers’ compensation in the field of orthopedic care.
Online Services: COURTS on-line
COURTS on-line offers authorized subscribers access to detailed information regarding their firm’s cases and hearing lists, allowing them to e-file legal pleadings. The Workers’ Compensation electronic filing (eFiling) program enables attorneys, insurance carriers, governmental agencies, and self-insurers to file and receive Workers’ Compensation legal documents through the Division’s COURTS on-line system.
Eligible Legal Pleadings for e-Filing:
- Claim Petitions
- Answers to Claim Petitions
- Dependency Claim Petitions
- Answers to Dependency Claim Petitions
- Medical Claim Petitions
- Answer to Medical Claim Petitions
- Application for Review and Modification of Formal Awards (Re-Openers)
- Answers to Application for Review and Modification of Formal Award
- Amendments to the above 8 documents
- Application for an Informal Hearing (insurance carriers can also e-file this document)
- Motion to Dismiss
- General Motion
- Answer to Motion
- Motion for Medical & Temporary Benefits
- Answer to Motion for Medical & Temporary Benefits
- Motion for Emergent Medical Treatment
Eligible Entities for e-Filing:
- Law firms currently registered with the Division
- Insurance carriers and approved Self-Insurers (self-administered), registered with the Division
- Court reporting Firms currently under contract with the Division
- Physicians appearing before the Workers’ Compensation Court
Benefits for Carriers/Law Firms:
- Instant access to pending case data
- Access to dates pleadings were received and processed
- Information on all parties involved, proceeding dates, and results
- Lien information and related case details
- Viewing judicial calendars and downloading hearing calendars
- Online access to petitioner’s prior judgments, dismissals, and pending case data
- For law firms in the e-filing program: electronic filing of legal pleadings and notice receipt through the COURTS on-line website
Benefits for Court Reporting Firms:
- Downloading and printing judicial calendars
- Access to case status information and decision details
- Confidential access to information on cases assigned to their firm
Benefits for Workers’ Compensation Physicians:
- Search for information about the status of a pending case
- Access to closed case details, closure dates, and insurance carrier contact information
Access Requirements:
- Valid and unique e-mail address for each individual subscriber
- Employer approval for designated authorized participation
- Specific Internet and software settings including recommended browser, internet connection, PC settings, and other required software
How to Participate:
- Complete a COURTS on-line Internet Access Application form
- Designate a contact person with managerial title
- Complete the Designation of a Contact Person form
- Complete and sign the Subscriber Application forms for each applicant
- Designate access levels for each subscriber
- Participation in e-filing is open to COURTS on-line subscribers
Access Levels Options for Law Firms:
- Basic: No e-filing rights
- Limited: Can receive notices and enter data into pre-formatted templates, but cannot e-file
- Full: Full rights to receive and file legal pleadings electronically
Access Levels Options for Insurance Carriers:
- Basic: No e-filing rights
- Full: Full rights for e-filing, receiving electronically filed legal pleadings, and designating respondent counsel
Additional Information:
- e-filing offers increased efficiency and real-time business processing
- Notices for e-filed legal pleadings are available through the COURTS on-line website
- Regular mail continues for manually filed documents
- For additional questions or information, contact COURTS on-line Technical Support Unit at courts@dol.nj.gov or call 609-777-4921 / 609-292-2556
