NJLB: John, I see that you are an experienced work injury lawyer. How many years have you been practicing Workers Compensation in NJ?

JFR: I have been practicing Workers Compensation law in the State of New Jersey for the past 18 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed helping injured workers get the benefits they deserve. It can be such a critical time in the life of an injured worker to experience the trauma associated with a workplace accident. One day working hard to provide for themselves and their families and the next day relying on an insurance company for the payment of a wage benefit and medical treatment. I fight hard to make sure my clients receive all the statutory benefits the law provides to them including the payment of a permanency award once the injured worker is released from authorized care.

NJLB: I’m sure Workers Compensation law in New Jersey is complex. What is the procedure a person injured on the job should follow?

JFR: The first thing to do is report the injury to the employer so that a claim can be established with the employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier. All employer in the State of New Jersey are required to have this insurance. The second thing is to obtain authorization from the employer’s insurance carrier to go see a doctor. The insurance company has the right to control medical treatment in the State of New Jersey so authorization from the insurance company is a necessary prerequisite prior to seeking medical treatment. The third thing is to keep notes of all interaction with company representatives, insurance company representatives (a claims adjuster will be assigned to the case after the claim is reported to the insurance carrier) and all authorized medical providers. Keep a list of symptoms and document whether there is an improvement or worsening of the condition. The fourth thing is to follow the advice of the authorized medical providers including obtaining the medical providers recommendation on return to work status and also to keep all appointments with the medical providers. And, finally, contact an attorney who can help you navigate this very complex area of the law as soon as possible.

NJLB: I would imagine that a typical client of yours is worried about their future earnings and their job. What are the first steps you take with a new client to put them at ease?

JFR: The State of New Jersey provides a wage benefit for the injured worker if the worker has been placed out of work by the authorized treating physician or has been placed on light duty and the employer does not have light duty available. If the light duty is offered by the employer and the authorized treating physician releases the worker for light duty, the employee must accept light duty or otherwise no further wage benefit will be paid in the future. The wage benefit will terminate when the employee reaches maximum medical improvement as determined by the authorized treating physician. If the client is receiving a wage benefit, I review the amount and duration to determine if the insurance company is paying the appropriate amount and for the appropriate period of time. I also discuss with my clients what steps are necessary to get back to work as soon as possible which is the main goal for all my clients. If the client is simply unable to return to work, we discuss the various issues that arise from that possibility and the benefits that can be anticipated from the workers compensation system.

NJLB: I know you’ve been consistently voted as ‘The Best’ or ‘One of the Best’ lawyers in South Jersey by the Courier Post for 8 years now. Can you tell us a little more about that distinction?

JFR: Each year the Courier Post newspaper provides their readers with an opportunity to vote for their favorite service providers such accountant, financial planner, doctor and lawyer. For each category, the highest vote winner is designation the “Best of South Jersey” and the two follow-up vote winners are given the designation “One of the Best of South Jersey.” Over the past eight years, we have been consistently recognized as either “Best” or “One of the Best” lawyers in the South Jersey area. The distinction is a recognition of our years of tireless work on behalf of our clients. We are grateful for all the people who consistently vote for us year and year. South Jersey remains a vibrant community full of close neighborhoods and hard- working people. It is truly an honor to receive this designation so consistently over the past eight years and I wish to extend a “thank you” to all those who have taken the time and effort to express their opinion about our services.

NJLB: Finally, what advice would you give someone who is considering pursuing a work injury case?

JFR: Keep on top of your treatment, work status and be actively involved in a dialogue with the health care providers regarding what is being recommended from a medical perspective to return you back to work at your regular designation position and job responsibilities. Take notes regarding treatment recommendations, conversations with the insurance company and your employer including the names of the people you speak to and their contact information. Save any correspondence you receive and document your symptoms and changes in your activities of daily living. Most importantly, take the time to consider which New Jersey work injury lawyer is right for you by researching credentials and qualifications. The choice of an attorney is a critical decision for you to make so take the time to meet with that attorney, present the entire case history and make the determination who will provide you the best services possible.

Visit the website of New Jersey Work Injury lawyer, John F. Renner.

NJLB: Jeffrey, I see that you are an experienced criminal lawyer. How many

years have you been practicing criminal law in NJ?

JH: 18 years in NJ as a litigation attorney handling all criminal matters

in state and federal courts.  We handle all matters from pre-arrest through

sentencing and appeals.

NJLB: Your website states that you provide comfort and confidence in your

defense, and that you address the client’s court needs immediately. Can you

expand a little on how you do that?

JH:  I advise clients immediately when they believe they are the subject to

any criminal investigation by any law enforcement department; state or

federal. We sit down and discuss the issues at hand, how we should

participate with the investigation and whether cooperation with law

enforcement is a viable option. We then address witness issues, bail issues,

investigation issues, and ultimately how we are going to be successful

defending the case.

NJLB: I’ve often heard complaints that consumers feel they are just a number

to their lawyer. How do you remain customer service driven to your clients

and their families?

JH:  My number one goal is customer service and insuring my clients are

comfortable with the advice I give them.  I understand the clients may not

always be happy with the advice I have to give them or the news that I have

to give them.  However, being a lawyer is all about customer service and

providing the best representation to my clients and delivering the advice

sensibly.  Regardless of the circumstances facing my clients and their

families, I believe if they have all of the information in their hands

delivered from me, no matter how bad, they will be able to make the best

decision and be comfortable knowing that we explored every avenue when we

make any final decisions for a case.

NJLB: In closing, what is the first piece of advice you always give someone

who is facing a criminal charge?

Believe it or not; NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, speak to the police ‘on the record’

or ‘off the record’.  Law enforcement is not your friend!  The police are

here to solve a crime and charge someone with a crime.  Once you give a

statement, good or bad, you have placed one foot in concrete and can not

ever get away from your words.  All you say, calmly and cooperatively to any

law enforcement officer is, “I do not have anything to say to you and I

would like to speak to my lawyer. Do you understand?”  You do not have to be loud or disrespectful when you do this, but it has to be done!

Visit the website of New Jersey Criminal lawyer, Jeffrey R. Hark as well as his site for Professional license defense.

NJLB:  You’ve been practicing bankruptcy law in NJ for 15 years now. Have the laws become more complex during that time?

LMP:  Many lawyers have decided to specialize after the law changed in 2005. Because filing now requires involved means testing formulas and since new cases interpreting the new law are being decided almost daily, yes,  the area has become much more complex. In many cases a matter may appear to be simple, but overlooking something could result in your case being dismissed or not being granted discharge, the result everyone desires!

NJLB:  I know some bankruptcy firms dig deep to investigate creditors for any bankruptcy violations. Is this something your firm does?

LMP:  We are always on the look out for creditors violating the law. This can come in many forms. For example, creditors may improperly seek to be paid in bankruptcy court by attaching defective forms or documents that do not meet the requirements of the rules. As a debtor you are expected to take an oath to disclose all of your assets, liabilities and income; likewise creditors must follow the rules relating to how they can and should collect their potential claims.

NJLB:  I would imagine that embarrassment is one of the highest concerns a person facing bankruptcy has. How do you protect your clients from this fear?

LMP:  The concept of bankruptcy is  biblical, the roots of a fresh start can be traced back to the Old Testament. Everyone is entitled to some breathing room and a chance to reorganize. I tell clients that seeking relief from a bank levy or wage garnishment is usually more responsible than hiding and hoping for the best.  At the point the creditor levies or takes a portion or your pay check, you lose control and often the ability to provide for your family. I urge my clients to carefully consider which is the more responsible course of action.

NJLB:  Should a bankruptcy lawyer let clients know how this will affect their credit – pre and post bankruptcy?

LMP:  Look, the ability to get credit is important. But the impact of the filing sometimes is not worse than the client’s present credit score. We help clients understand what the impact will be post filing and after your discharge. There are specific steps we help clients with, including reviewing all 3 credit reports, post discharge, for accuracy and possible FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) violations.

NJLB:  Do you educate your clients on how their daily lives will be affected after bankruptcy?

LMP:  I try to ask clients to truly consider what debt issue is giving them the most discomfort when they see me. I regularly see clients who have become physically sick from creditor phone calls and letters. These clients want to pay their bills, but truly are without an ability to do so. Sometimes they can only pay one bill, so when all the bills are collectively added it becomes insurmountable and overwhelming. So I try to have clients imagine a meal without a creditor call or interruption; or a day without a collection letter; or the comfort they may have in knowing that their paycheck is safe from garnishment. We also make every effort to make sure clients are not subjected to creditor harassment, in the form of phone calls or letters as soon as clients retain our firm.

Visit the website of Lee M. Perlman for information on New Jersey Bankruptcy law.