Quick Summary: Yes. Returning to work after a job-related injury does not necessarily end your New Jersey workers’ compensation claim. If the injury leaves you with a lasting impairment, you may still be entitled to permanency benefits—even if you are earning wages again and doing your job.

Many injured workers are never told about this part of the process. At the Law Offices of William A Sheehan, we help clients understand what their claim has covered, what it has not covered, and whether they may still be owed compensation for a permanent effect of a workplace injury.

Does Going Back to Work End a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Not always. It is understandable to think that a workers’ compensation case ends once you are medically cleared to return to work. After all, temporary disability benefits are generally tied to the period when an injury prevents you from working. Once you return, those wage-replacement benefits may stop.

But temporary disability is only one part of a New Jersey workers’ compensation claim. The larger question is whether the injury has left a lasting physical effect. You may be able to work again while still dealing with pain, reduced range of motion, weakness, numbness, hearing loss, scarring, or other continuing limitations. Those lasting consequences may support a claim for permanency benefits.

In other words, returning to work can mean you have recovered enough to resume employment. It does not necessarily mean your body has returned to the condition it was in before the accident.

What Are Permanency Benefits in New Jersey?

Permanency benefits are compensation for a permanent impairment caused by a work injury. They are separate from temporary disability benefits and medical treatment. Temporary disability benefits are meant to help replace a portion of lost wages while you cannot work. Medical benefits address authorized care for the injury. A permanency award recognizes that, even after treatment is complete, the injury may continue to affect your body or function.

This distinction matters. A worker who returns to a job after surgery, therapy, or rehabilitation may assume there is nothing more to pursue because the immediate crisis has passed. Yet an ongoing impairment can have real consequences at work and at home. It may change how long you can stand, how much you can lift, how you sleep, or which tasks you can perform comfortably.

At the Law Offices of William A Sheehan, we look beyond whether you have simply returned to a paycheck. We consider whether your injury has created a lasting impairment that should be evaluated as part of your claim.

What Injuries May Qualify for Partial Permanent Disability?

Total permanent disability is uncommon. More often, an injured worker may have a partial permanent disability. This means the worker can still perform some work or daily activities but has a lasting loss of function or ongoing symptoms related to the injury.

Examples may include:

• A back or neck injury with continuing pain, restricted movement, or nerve symptoms
• A shoulder, knee, wrist, or ankle injury that never fully regains its prior strength or range of motion
• Lasting effects from a fracture, surgery, or repetitive-use injury
• Hearing loss connected to workplace noise exposure
• Visible scarring or disfigurement
• An injury that aggravates a preexisting condition and leaves you with greater limitations

“Permanent” does not mean catastrophic. It means the condition is not expected to resolve completely. Even a worker who is back at the same job may have a compensable permanent loss.

When Is a Permanency Claim Evaluated?

Permanency usually becomes an issue after your medical treatment has run its course and your condition has stabilized. This point is often described as maximum medical improvement. It does not mean you feel perfect or that you have no symptoms. It means your condition has reached a stage where doctors can assess whether a lasting impairment remains.

Medical evidence is central to this process. You and the insurance carrier may each obtain medical evaluations. The doctors assess the injured body part or function, review your medical history, and offer opinions about the extent of any permanent disability. Those opinions can differ substantially.

The insurance carrier’s evaluation may minimize the impact of your injury. An attorney can help ensure that the medical record tells the full story, including your treatment, surgeries, diagnostic testing, ongoing symptoms, and day-to-day limitations.

Why Don’t Permanency Benefits Arrive Automatically?

One of the most important things injured workers should know is that permanency benefits are not simply sent out when temporary disability ends. A permanency claim requires attention and advocacy. If you close your case without addressing permanent impairment, or sign an agreement without understanding its effect, you may lose important rights.

The insurance company is not responsible for giving you legal advice about additional compensation you may be entitled to seek. That is why it is important to ask questions before agreeing that your claim is finished. The timing of a claim, the medical proof available, and the terms of any proposed resolution can all affect the outcome.

What Should You Know Before Accepting a Settlement?

A settlement may be appropriate in many workers’ compensation cases, but you should understand what it resolves. Does it include compensation for permanency? Does it affect your ability to pursue additional benefits later? Is the amount being offered consistent with the lasting effect of your injury?

These are not small details. Signing paperwork can have lasting consequences, particularly if symptoms worsen or additional treatment becomes necessary. Before accepting a settlement, it is wise to have it reviewed by someone focused on protecting your interests rather than closing the file as quickly as possible.

William Sheehan has represented New Jersey workers’ compensation clients for more than 45 years. When you work with the Law Offices of William A Sheehan, you work directly with William Sheehan—not a paralegal or associate—throughout your case.

How Can an Attorney Help With a Permanency Claim?

A permanency claim is not just about a percentage on a report. It is about presenting a complete and credible picture of how the workplace injury has changed your physical condition. Our firm can help by reviewing your treatment history, identifying whether a permanency claim may be available, coordinating evaluations, assessing proposed settlements, and negotiating or representing you at a hearing when necessary.

You should not have to guess whether returning to work means you have received everything the law allows. If you have lasting symptoms after a workplace injury, it is worth finding out whether permanency benefits may be available.

FAQ

Can I receive permanency benefits if I am working full-time?

Yes, potentially. Returning to full-time work does not automatically prevent a permanency award. The focus is whether the work injury caused a lasting impairment.

Are permanency benefits the same as temporary disability benefits?

No. Temporary disability benefits generally address lost wages while you are unable to work. Permanency benefits address lasting physical impairment after treatment has stabilized.

Do I need a medical evaluation for a permanency claim?

Medical evidence is a key part of a permanency claim. Evaluations help establish the nature and extent of any lasting impairment.

Should I sign the insurance company’s settlement paperwork right away?

It is best to understand exactly what the paperwork covers and which rights it may affect before signing. A review can help you make an informed decision.

What if I did not know permanency benefits existed?

You are not alone. Speak with an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to discuss your claim and the options that may still be available.

If you have returned to work but are still living with the effects of a job-related injury, schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of William A Sheehan.