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Knowledge, experience, and dedication have brought the lawyers of The Epstein Law Firm to the forefront of their profession. From personal injury to civil litigation, they have built a strong record of success in achieving justice for their clients.
Our practice is diverse and well-established. Recognizing that every case is unique, we always begin by listening to you.
The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. has been successfully representing clients throughout New Jersey since 1973
Choose a New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer who can explain the problem in your claim, identify the evidence needed to address it, and tell you who will handle the work. Ask about experience with injuries and disputes like yours, communication, court-approved fees, and any separate claim against someone outside your employer. A large advertised recovery or a familiar name is only a starting point; the consultation should produce a practical plan.
You may be looking for help because treatment has stalled, wage benefits stopped, or an insurer says your injury is unrelated to work. You may also have an accepted claim and want to understand what happens next. Those situations call for different work. Start with the issue you need resolved, then evaluate whether the lawyer gives specific, understandable answers.
The Epstein Law Firm
The Epstein Law Firm can explain the issues involved in your workers’ compensation matter and help you understand the next step.
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Before calling firms, write down what happened and what is currently missing: an authorized specialist appointment, unpaid benefits, a response to a denial, or an explanation of a proposed settlement. Include the date of the accident, when you told your employer, and the most recent treatment or payment. For a condition that developed gradually, describe your duties and when you first connected the condition to work.
The New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation offers formal claim petitions and informal hearings for disputed benefits. An informal recommendation is not binding, and an informal application does not preserve the formal filing deadline. Ask the lawyer which route fits your circumstances and why. A useful answer connects the procedure to your immediate problem rather than treating every matter as a settlement negotiation.
Sources: NJDOL: Navigating Disputes.
For example, a warehouse worker whose back treatment was interrupted needs a discussion of medical authorization, the existing records, and whether a benefits motion is appropriate. Someone who has finished treatment and received an offer needs an explanation of the supporting medical evaluations and the consequences of accepting it. Describe your situation honestly, including prior injuries and gaps in treatment. The consultation becomes more useful when the lawyer can see the weaknesses as well as the strengths.
Ask how much of the lawyer’s work involves New Jersey workers’ compensation and who appears in the Division on the firm’s cases. Experience with general injury litigation can be relevant, particularly when an outside party contributed to a workplace accident, but ask separately about compensation practice. You should know whether the firm will handle the claim itself, involve another lawyer, or make a referral.
Make the question concrete: “Have you handled disputed lifting injuries with earlier back treatment?” is more useful than “Do you win cases?” For repetitive work or exposure claims, ask how the lawyer investigates employment history, job duties, and medical causation. For a serious accident, ask how the team obtains incident records, witness information, and evidence about equipment or other companies on the site.
A lawyer should be able to explain what remains uncertain after the first call. An answer such as “I need the carrier’s letter and the doctor’s restrictions before recommending the next filing” can show careful evaluation. A confident prediction made without reviewing the records gives you little basis for choosing counsel. Take notes so you can compare the substance of consultations, not just the presentation.
Medical records are more useful when the lawyer explains what they need to establish. Ask which treating records, diagnostic reports, work restrictions, and evaluations are relevant to the disputed issue. You do not need to diagnose yourself or decide which specialist proves the claim. You do need a lawyer who can translate the evidence requirements into a manageable document request.
Separate treatment from litigation evaluation. Ask whether an examination is for your care, for a permanency opinion, or for the insurer’s assessment. If the carrier disputes the connection to work, ask what evidence the lawyer would seek and whether a medical opinion is needed. This conversation should acknowledge earlier conditions without assuming they automatically defeat or establish the claim.
Bring pay statements and a record of missed work, as well as benefit checks or payment notices. Ask the lawyer to explain how those documents will be reviewed. Keep a simple timeline of appointments, restrictions, and carrier communications. Save original messages and photographs rather than editing them. If an employer record is inaccurate, flag it for counsel and preserve your own account instead of trying to rewrite the official record.
New Jersey workers’ compensation counsel fees require approval by a compensation judge. The statutory ceiling is 25% of the judgment under the amendment approved August 22, 2024, applicable to claims pending on or after enactment. That is a ceiling, not an automatic charge in every case. Older government summaries still displaying 20% should not be used as the current cap.
Sources: P.L. 2024, chapter 55: Workers’ compensation attorney fees.
Ask for the written agreement and an explanation of your potential share, any employer or carrier contribution, and case expenses. Ask how medical evaluation costs are handled and what deductions could affect the amount you receive. “No advance attorney fee” does not tell you everything about the final accounting. You should understand the arrangement before authorizing representation.
If a workplace accident also supports a civil claim, ask for a separate explanation of that representation and its fee arrangement. Do not assume the workers’ compensation terms apply to a lawsuit. Request a clear account of who handles each matter and how the lawyers coordinate them. Keep a copy of every agreement, and ask questions about any provision you cannot explain in your own words.
Find out who will return your calls, how you can submit records, and who makes recommendations about treatment disputes and settlement. A firm may use a team effectively, but you should know the roles of the lawyer, staff, and any outside counsel. Ask how urgent problems are escalated when an appointment is canceled or a payment fails to arrive.
Good communication is more than a promise to be responsive. Ask what updates you will receive between hearings and how the lawyer explains an offer. You should have a chance to discuss the medical evidence, deductions, unresolved issues, and alternatives before making a decision. A lawyer who describes only the gross amount leaves you without enough information to assess the proposal.
Consider accessibility too. Ask about phone consultations, document sharing, language needs, and whether attending a meeting in person is necessary. Do not choose an office address without checking whether the lawyer you want will actually handle the matter. If a firm cannot provide a requested arrangement, you can evaluate that answer alongside its experience and proposed plan.
Listen for explanations that address your facts. If two lawyers recommend different routes, ask what information or assumptions account for the difference. You do not need to select the lawyer who speaks most forcefully. Choose someone whose reasoning you understand and whose handling arrangements are clear.
After the call, write down the documents requested, any date that needs immediate attention, and whether the lawyer has agreed to represent you. A consultation and an attorney-client engagement are different steps. If the firm declines the matter or needs more information, confirm that you remain responsible for taking timely action until representation is established. Do not let comparison shopping become a reason to ignore a pending deadline.
If a workplace injury has left you without the treatment or wage benefits you need, The Epstein Law Firm can help you understand your New Jersey workers’ compensation options. We handle disputes involving medical care, wage benefits, and permanent disability. We can also examine whether someone outside the employer may be responsible for the accident and whether a separate civil claim requires investigation.
Bring the carrier’s letters, medical restrictions, incident information, and a record of missed work. We can discuss the evidence your dispute requires, who would handle the matter, and which deadlines need attention. The firm offers a free workers’ compensation consultation so you can ask those questions before deciding on representation.
Michael J. Epstein was admitted in New Jersey in 1996. His practice includes workers’ compensation, employment, personal injury, and civil litigation. That range matters when one workplace incident raises questions about benefits, an employment dispute, and responsibility outside the employer. Each issue needs its own analysis rather than an assumption that one claim resolves everything.
Michael is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney. That civil-trial credential is particularly relevant if an accident also requires a negligence lawsuit; it is not workers’ compensation certification. You should ask separately about the experience of the lawyer assigned to your benefits dispute.
The firm’s civil injury results include a $2 million settlement for an excavation worker injured by a falling tree, a $1.25 million settlement after an electrical shock and ladder fall during ceiling-tile work, and a $1.4 million verdict against a building owner following a workplace fall associated with roof leaks. These are civil recoveries, not workers’ compensation awards. They illustrate prior serious workplace-injury matters, but do not predict your result or identify every attorney’s role.
Michael served as Bergen County Bar Association president in 2016–2017 and on the New Jersey Association for Justice Board of Governors from 2012 through 2022. Super Lawyers selected him beginning in 2009, following Rising Stars selection in 2006–2008. Professional service and recognition provide background about his civil practice; your hiring decision should also turn on the lawyer’s plan for your specific dispute and the communication you can expect.
His authored NJBIZ column, “When roads buckle and the law shrugs: A case for accountability on I-287,” published June 27, 2025, discusses public responsibility and investigation. He has also taught on examining doctors and documentary evidence. The New Jersey State Bar Association listed him as moderator and presenter for its October 8, 2026 Tort Law Conference. These legal publications and teaching subjects give you additional context about his work with evidence; they are not medical research or proof of a particular outcome.
The firm’s client testimonials describe communication and responsiveness. Read them alongside a direct conversation about who will answer your questions, how often you will receive updates, and how fees and expenses work. You should leave the consultation understanding the proposed scope of representation and the next steps. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
The Epstein Law Firm publishes the following results. These are third-party work-injury results, rather than workers’ compensation benefit awards.
$2,000,000 settlement · $1,400,000 verdict
Read the firm’s published results
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
These excerpts describe experiences with the firm. They are not identified as cases in this practice area and do not predict another outcome.
“They took the time to explain everything clearly, making sure I understood my options and felt comfortable with each step of the process.”
— R. S. · Read the full Google review
“Michael and his team were incredibly responsive, always keeping us informed and addressing any questions or concerns promptly.”
— s. v. · Read the full Google review
Broader injury-victim guidance on choosing legal representation:
These answers provide general information about choosing counsel and the New Jersey claim process. They are not legal advice for a particular claim. A lawyer should review your facts, records, and deadlines.
No, accepting benefits does not make hiring a lawyer mandatory. The Division allows workers to pursue claims without counsel, although it recommends representation in disputes. Consider whether you understand the treatment arrangements, payment history, and next decision you are being asked to make. An accepted claim can still leave questions about the scope of benefits.
Use a consultation to identify those questions before committing to representation. Bring the acceptance letter and any proposed agreement. Ask the lawyer what work remains and whether advice now would help you understand a specific decision. Do not assume that an acceptance letter resolves every later issue or that hiring counsel guarantees additional benefits.
Sources: NJDOL: Navigating Disputes; NJDOL: Frequently Asked Questions for Workers.
Report the work injury promptly and address medical needs while you compare lawyers. New Jersey’s worker guidance says notice can be given to a supervisor or another person in authority and need not be written. Keep your own dated record of what you reported, whom you contacted, and what response you received.
Preserve the carrier’s correspondence, appointment notices, pay records, and incident information for consultation. Ask each firm whether it has agreed to represent you and whether any urgent action is needed. A series of introductory calls should not distract from the claim itself. If there is an approaching deadline, tell the lawyer at the beginning of the conversation rather than waiting until the end.
Sources: NJDOL: Frequently Asked Questions for Workers; NJDOL: Injured Worker Protections.
Generally, a formal petition is due within two years of the injury or last compensation payment, whichever is later. Authorized medical treatment can count as compensation. Occupational disease claims have a different knowledge-based analysis, so a lawyer should review the dates and connection to employment rather than applying an accident date mechanically.
Bring the earliest and latest relevant records, including treatment authorization and payment history. Ask the lawyer to confirm which event controls the filing analysis in your circumstances. Do not assume that ongoing discussions with an adjuster preserve your rights. An informal hearing application does not stop the formal filing deadline, making the choice of procedure important when time is short.
A lawyer can evaluate a treatment dispute and whether to seek a medical and temporary benefits motion. The Division identifies that motion as a route for workers needing prompt care or temporary benefits. Filing a motion does not itself establish entitlement or guarantee that the requested treatment will be ordered.
Tell counsel exactly what was requested, who refused it, and whether you have a written decision. Ask what medical support is needed and how the firm would pursue the issue. Preserve appointment cancellations and treating records. Because employers or carriers generally select treating providers under New Jersey’s system, get advice before assuming that privately arranged treatment will automatically be reimbursed.
The statutory attorney-fee cap is 25% of the judgment, with compensation-judge approval required. The August 22, 2024 amendment applies to claims pending on or after enactment. The ceiling is not a promise that every fee will be that amount, and older summaries stating a 20% cap do not reflect the amendment.
Ask for a written explanation of how the fee would be determined, how payment is allocated, and what case expenses may be deducted. Request an accounting you can understand before agreeing to a resolution. If the firm also handles a civil lawsuit, ask for its separate fee terms. Comparing only advertised percentages without discussing approval, allocation, and expenses can leave you unclear about the amount you would receive.
Sources: P.L. 2024, chapter 55: Workers’ compensation attorney fees; NJDOL: Navigating Disputes.
No, civil trial certification identifies a different field from workers’ compensation certification. The New Jersey State Bar Association’s faculty listing identifies Michael J. Epstein as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. When comparing counsel, ask the lawyer to explain the field of any certification and its relevance to the work your claim requires.
Ask separately about the assigned lawyer’s actual compensation practice and experience with your dispute. Civil trial experience may be relevant if the accident also requires a negligence lawsuit, but the procedural work is different. Have the firm explain who would handle each matter and how their experience applies. A precise discussion of credentials is more useful than a broad claim that one title proves expertise in every injury proceeding.
Sources: NJSBA: Tort Law Conference 2026; New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law (revised December 15, 2025).
No, a large civil settlement alone does not establish the right lawyer for a workers’ compensation claim. The statutory benefit system and a civil injury lawsuit are different. The hiring question is whether the lawyer understands your dispute and can explain how the evidence and procedures apply.
Ask what type of case produced the advertised result, what the lawyer personally did, and whether it involved comparable issues. A compensation matter should not be valued by borrowing a recovery from a negligence lawsuit. Look for a careful explanation of the benefits at issue and the records still needed. A responsible evaluation leaves room for uncertainty rather than promising the same result to every injured worker.
Sources: New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law (revised December 15, 2025); NJDOL: Injured Worker Protections.
An injury involving another responsible party may require evaluation of a separate civil claim alongside workers’ compensation. New Jersey’s statute addresses third-party liability and reimbursement, so the claims should be reviewed together. Do not assume that two possible proceedings mean you can keep overlapping recoveries without adjustment.
Identify other contractors, property owners, vehicles, or equipment involved and preserve their names and relevant photographs. Ask whether the firm will investigate both matters, who would handle them, and how any reimbursement issue will be explained. The consultation should distinguish the compensation benefit dispute from the proof needed for a civil claim, including whether additional evidence must be preserved promptly.
The lawyer should explain what the proposed resolution covers and what rights it ends. New Jersey permits different forms of compensation resolution, including a section 20 settlement where the statutory requirements are met. The label and legal effect matter as much as the amount on the first page.
Ask about deductions, outstanding medical issues, future treatment, and whether the particular resolution allows any later application. Request the explanation before the approval hearing, with time to ask questions. Tell counsel if you do not understand a provision or feel unsure about unresolved symptoms. Do not assume every agreement has the same reopening rights or that a larger immediate payment is necessarily the better option for your circumstances.
Sources: New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law (revised December 15, 2025); NJDOL: Navigating Disputes.
Bring a short timeline, incident information, medical records you have, pay statements, and insurance correspondence. These materials help explain the injury, treatment, and benefits issue you want reviewed. The Division’s worker guidance can also help you identify questions about notice and the claim process. Missing a document should not stop you from explaining an urgent concern or asking what information to obtain next.
Organize papers by date and make a separate list of unanswered questions. Include prior related treatment and any existing claim or lawyer involvement so the firm can assess the situation accurately. Ask who would take responsibility for the matter and what the next step would be. Before relying on the firm to act, confirm the engagement and retain a copy of the written representation agreement.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Rating methodology
The Epstein Law Firm serves clients from three New Jersey locations:
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*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. *No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. View Rating Methodology
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340 West Passaic Street Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Fax: 201-845-5973 201-231-7847
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560 Sylvan Avenue, Suite 1000-A Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 (By Appointment Only)
201-734-3763
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18-20 Lackawanna Plaza, Suite 200 Montclair, NJ 07042 (By Appointment Only)
973-381-8410
The Epstein Law Firm
The Epstein Law Firm