Garden State Times

NFIB, alongside over 30 organizations in New Jersey, is opposing a proposal that aims to increase attorneys' fees in workers' compensation cases. The legislation under scrutiny, A5659, proposes raising the attorney fee cap from 20% to 25%. Additionally, it seeks to change the method of calculating these fees, potentially making it easier for attorneys to receive the maximum fee.

The bill also limits the factors that judges can consider when evaluating the reasonableness of an attorney's fee request. Currently, employers are required to cover 60% of these fees. NFIB argues that increasing attorneys' fees will lead to higher premiums and operational costs for small businesses without offering additional benefits or resources for employees injured at work.

The organization calls on lawmakers to reject this proposal. "This legislation isn’t about protecting workers," states NFIB. "It’s a handout to greedy lawyers."