N.J. Workers’ Comp Attorney Fees Increase to 25%

The acting governor of New Jersey recently signed S2822, which increases attorney fees on workers’ compensation cases to 25%. Since 1927, the fee for an attorney on a workers’ compensation case was up to 20%.

The Bill

The bill increased the capped amount of attorneys’ fees in workers’ compensation cases and N.J.S.A. 34:15-64 now reads: “The official conducting any hearing under this chapter may allow to the party in whose favor judgment is entered, costs of witness fees and a reasonable attorney fee, not exceeding [25%] of the judgment.” The act also states that this change will take effect immediately, so it applies to all pending cases.