IMPORTANT DWC NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 15, 2013 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Court Rules 
Pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, we periodically review our court rules found at N.J.A.C. 12:235-1.1 et seq....read full memo.

 
February 12, 2013 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Electronic Filing of Motions 
We are pleased to announce that this week we initiated a key upgrade to the COURTS system that now allows the electronic filing of motions... read full memo.

 
December 3, 2012 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Counsel Fees 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-64, judges of compensation have the discretion to award a reasonable counsel fee not to exceed 20% of the award entered... read full memo.

 
July 11, 2012 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS    
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Medicare Conditional Payment and Set-Aside Issues 
The federal Medicare Secondary Payer Statute as administered by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set various policies, procedures and regulations affecting workers' compensation petitioners who are Medicare entitled or have reasonable expectation of eligibilty... read full memo.

 
 June 7, 2012 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS    
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: COURTS IV 
New Jersey was the first state to have a fully automated workers' compensation case management system.... read full memo.

 Jun

 June 5, 2012 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS    
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
In consultation with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation ("DVRS"), we are discontinuing workers' compensation judge referrals to DVRS.... read full memo.

January 31, 2012 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS    
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Second Injury Fund 
Recently Judge Delores McNamee made a presentation to the Burlington County Bar Association on topics that included the Second Injury Fund.... read full memo.

 November 29, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Workers' Compensation Discovery Issues Committee 
Both petitioner and respondent attorneys have raised concerns with our workers' compensation discovery process... read full memo.

 November 29, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Counsel Fees 

  September 29, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Counsel Fees on Motions for Medical and Temporary Disability Benefits 
In order to expeditiously conclude successful Motions for Medical and Temporary Disability Benefits where counsel fees had been reserved, counsel fees to petitioner's attorney should ordinarily be paid when active treatment pursuant to the motion has been completed....read full memo.

  September 1, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Bar Center Centennial Picnic and Barbeque 
Attached is a flyer for the Centennial Picnic and Barbeque on September 23, 2011 to be held at the New Jersey Law Center...read full memo 

 
 August 31, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Burn Surgeons of St. Barnabas v. Shop Rite 
Administrative Supervisory Judge Virginia Dietrich recently issued an opinion in the above matter concerning medical payment issues...read full memo

Read Administrative Supervisory Judge Virgina Dietrich's opinion:
Burn Surgeons of St. Barnabas v. Shop Rite 

 
 August 25, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Daily Calling of the List  
The calling of the list is a long standing tradition in workers' compensation court and serves as a common practice across vicinages.... read full memo 

 August 25, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Accidental Disability Orders  

 May 24, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Centennial Gala Photos 

 
 May 3, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: May 2, 2011 Centennial Seminar 
We had over 500 attorneys sign up for the Seminar. Your feedback on the evaluation forms will be helpful to determine the benefits of the Seminar and whether future Division seminars would be supported...read full memo 

 
 February 22, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Workers' Compensation Regulations 
Pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, the workers' compensation regulations, N.J.A.C. 12:235-1.1 et seq., will sunset in July 2011 unlesss readopted or extended... read full memo.  

 
 February 10, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Liquidation of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company and Centennial Insurance Company
The New York Liquidation Bureau has informed the Division of Workers' Compensation that approved Atlantic Mutual and Centennial Insurance companies' awards will be processed and paid... read full memo.

 
 January 28, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Specialized Medical Expert Allowances 
N.J.S.A. 34:15-64 provides an allowance schedule for reports and appearances by evaluating and treating physicians. A Task Force appointed by Bar Section Chair Jerry Rotella recognized that there are situations where petitioner attorneys must retain... read full memo.

 
 January 19, 2011 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Office Closures or Delayed Openings 
There is a new section on the first page of our website that links to the Department and State websites for information on office closures and delayed openings.... read full memo.

 
 December 21, 2010 - NOTICE TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION COLLEAGUES
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Workers' Compensation Centennial 
2011 will be the 100th Anniversary of the New Jersey Workers' Compensation Program. Our Centennial Committee is finalizing events and activities for next year... read full memo 

 
 November 8, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Task Force for Medical Provider Claims
Enclosed is the Report of the Task Force on Medical Provider Claims which was chaired by Administrative Supervisory Judge Virginia Dietrich for your review.... read full memo

 
 November 4, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone re: Proposed Stop-Work Order Rule
The attached rule proposal to implement amendments to N.J.S.A. 34:15-79 was published in the November 1, 2010 New Jersey Register.  The rule proposal specifcally addresses procedures for stop-work orders when an employer has not complied with the workers' compensation insurance requirements....read full memo  

 
 October 28, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Medicare Release Language
Attached are e-mails between the workers' compensatin judges and this office concerning Medicare Release Language....read full memo

 September 28, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Court Reporting Services

 
 September 22, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone... re: NJM Charts and OSCAR 
There are a few instances where OSCAR and the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM) differs on weeks 90 and 96. For example, on the front of the 2007 NJM chart the benefit for 30% of the leg is $17,995.50... read full memo. 

 
 June 21, 2010 - NOTICE TO BAR

Please be advised that on June 21st, the Atlantic City Workers' Compensation Court moved up one floor to the Fourth Floor of the Atlantic County Office building.  The new address is:

1333 Atlantic Avenue
4th Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The telephone number will remain the same.

 
 June 4, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Liquidation of Imperial Casualty and Indemnity Insurance
We have just been informed that Imperial Casualty and Indemnity is insolvent and has been placed into liquidation by the Oklahoma Department of Insurance...read full memo.

 
 May 12, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Workers' Compensation Centennial 
In 1911, New Jersey was one of twelve states that enacted the first workers' compensation statutes in the country....read full memo 

  May 11, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Judicial Re-Assignments 
There are a number of judicial reassignments taking place on June 1, 2010....read full memo  

  March 29, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: May 21, 2010 Bar Convention Workers' Compensation Section Meeting 
There has been discussion concerning attendance by judges and the status of the court system for the Bar Convention Workers' Compensation Section meeting.... read full memo  

 March 12, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Dismissal As to Carrier
We are advised of delays in dismissing carriers who are mistakenly listed on claim petitions.  If a carrier is not the correct carrier, the dismissal as to carrier form (order) should be entered without the need for a formal motion and dismissal.... read full memo                                                                                                                                  

 
  January 28, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Recent Events 
Governor Chris Christie nominated Sussex County Freeholder Director Harold J. Wirths to be Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development...read full memo 

 
 January 14, 2010 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: New Judges and Re-Assignments 

As you may be aware, the New Jersey Senate confirmed eight (8) new judges of compensation during the last two weeks of the legislative session. The current case distributions, office space, support staff and geographical locations of the new judges creates serious administrative problems. Reassignments concerning current judges will be as limited as possible as we accommodate the additional Judges.... read full memo.

 November 23, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Medicare
We are advised that there is a new website available to access information from Medicare. The only individuals allowed to access the site are Medicare recipients and their authorized representatives.......read full memo. 
                                                                                                                    

 October 20, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Rule Adoptions
The rule proposals for emergent medical motions, carrier and self-insured contact person information, judicial enforcement powers and Uninsured Employer's Fund amendments have been adopted....read full memo. 
                                                                                                                    

 September 10, 2009

 August 24, 2009- NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Medicare Questions on Court Orders
Medicare reviews and compliance when required should be initiated early in a case proceeding. However, there have been ongoing problems where cases have been finalized without recognition of Medicare requirements. Such noncompliance puts the petitioner, the respondent, the attorneys and the judge at risk....read full memo.

 July 14, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Amendments to N.J.S.A 34:15-79
As you may be aware, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law Assembly, No. 3569 and Senate, No. 2498 which amend N.J.S.A. 34:15-79. Of primary interest is the new section of the statute that allows the Director to issue stop-work orders in certain situations.....read full memo.

 April 6, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Medicare Eligible Petitioners
As you may be aware, the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) will shortly require insurers and self insured employers to report to CMS the names of Medicare eligible individuals involved in or claiming a work injury. While it has been our policy to inquire about Medicare status at an early stage of a case, the CMS expanded reporting procedures create added impetus for all parties to be aware of a petitioner's Medicare eligibility. Such reporting will provide CMS with additional information to enforce its requirements that all CMS conditional payment and when required set-aside reviews are completed....read full memo.

 
 March 26, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Mandatory Electronic Hearing Calendars Effective July 1, 2009 
As you are aware, we have had support staff reductions in our central office and district office locations.  We have also had to reassign central office personnel to the district offices to accomodate the daily flow of court proceedings and to best serve the case parties...read full memo.

 
 March 3, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone... re: Child Support Liens
Pursuant to statutory requirements, we have obtained information on Child Support Liens from the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) on a montly basis inputting the data into our COURTS system.....read full memo.  

 
 January 5, 2009 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re:  Second Injury Fund Lists
As you are aware Deputy Attorney General Dolores McNamee has been recommended for confirmation as a Workers' Compensation Judge by the Senate Judiciary Committee on nomination by Governor Corzine......read full memo.

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 December 23, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Natale v. Celanese et als (Appellate Division - Unpublished).
Enclosed please find the above Appellate Division opinion affirming Judge Mark Litowitz's decision assessing liability against several insurers of respondent in an occupational total disability case.......read full memo and decision.
                                                        

 
 December 11, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Court Closing Policy and Adjournment Process
In 1998 a Committee of judges and attorneys chaired by Judge Peter Womak reviewed the then court closing schedule and attorney adjournment process...read full memo.
                                                                     

 
 December 1, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Counsel Fees
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-64, judges of compensation have the discretion to award a reasonable counsel fee not to exceed 20% of the award entered. The judge should in all matters determine a reasonable fee based on the circumstances of the case and the value of the services performed....read full memo.

  October 2, 2008 - NOTICE TO ALL JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND CASE PARTIES
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone... re: Legislative Changes
We are advised that Governor Jon S. Corzine has signed the following bills into law on October 1, 2008 to take effect immediately:.... read full memo.            

  
  October 1, 2008 - NOTICE TO ALL JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND CASE PARTIES
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone... re: Emergent Medical Care, Contact Person, Enforcement and UEF Rule Proposals
Pursuant to recent legislation L.2008, c:____(Senate Nos. 1913 and 1916), signed into law by Governor Jon S. Corzine on October 1, 2008 and effective immediately, attached to this memorandum are pre-publication rule proposals.:.... read full memo.           

  September 29, 2008 - NOTICE TO ALL ATTORNEYS AND CASE PARTIES
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone... re: Day after Thanksgiving
Due to leave requests, there will be no court lists in the following offices on November 28, 2008: ..... read full memo. 
                                                                                                                          

 August 4, 2008 - NOTICE TO BAR, INSURANCE CARRIERS AND SELF INSURERS
For Calendar Year 2009, the maximum workers' compensation weekly benefit rate for temporary total disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and dependency benefits will be $773.  Click here for further details.

July 8, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: AIG Cases
We have been in contact with AIG with respect to issues raised by judges and attorneys. Attached please find correspondence I received from AIG setting a centralized mailing address for AIG affiliates.....read full memo.

 July 7, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Recent Second Injury Fund Appellate Opinions
We normally only provide the unpublished Appellate Division opinions to the workers’ compensation judges.  However, we have this year received several extensive unpublished Appellate Division opinions concerning Second Injury Fund cases.  The most recent appellate opinions, Quick v. Discount Oil Co., Docket No. A-3489-06T1 (App. Div. June 17, 2008) and Vassilatos v. Mercer Wrecking Recycling Corp., Docket No. A-4878-06T3 (App. Div. July 2, 2008) set forth the basic legal principles and cite the relevant case law affecting the Second Injury Fund which may also be of interest to workers’ compensation attorneys.....Read full memo.

 May 9, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone....re: Transcript Fees
The four court reporting companies for workers' compensation have been charging differing fees for transcripts under the current State contract which will expire at the end of August, 2009.  Read full memo.

  April 25, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND THE BAR
OSCAR-Calcs is a PC-based software package which addresses the most common date and arithmetic functions that arise during the course of a workers’ compensation case.

Since its initial release in December, 2007, a number of comments and suggestions have been received.  The latest version of OSCAR-Calcs corrects calculation problems in the partial-total disability function, adds print functions to all calculators and addresses some monetary entry problems.

The software, previously only available on CD-ROM from the district offices, is now available as a download from this website.  Click for further details and downloading information.

  April 24, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND THE BAR
Earlier this month, amendments to N.J.S.A. 34:15-130 et seq. were enacted which expands workers' compensation coverage under the New Jersey Horse Racing Compensation Board Act...Read full memo.

   April 21, 2008- NOTICE TO JUDGES AND THE BAR
PRESS RELEASE - SARLO: WORKERS' COMP TO BE FOCUS OF NEXT SENATE LABOR PANEL MEETING 
Trenton - Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, today said the panel would schedule a special hearing May 5 on the workers' compensation system in New Jersey...see full notice.          

 March 4, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND THE BAR
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone....re: MCARE cases
Attached is the most recent listing of MCARE cases. Generally, a case is marked MCARE if the case is settled but still open pending the completion of Medicare review(s). As indicated, the number of MCARE cases has been significantly reduced from the January 2007 level. The Division's website has extensive information on the process that must be completed when the petitioner is Medicare entitled......read full memo.

 March 3, 2008 - NOTICE TO THE BAR

Please be advised that on March 24, 2008, the Freehold Workers’ Compensation Court will move to the following address:

2 Paragon Way
Freehold, NJ 07728

The telephone number will remain the same.
Our Freehold Court will be closed on Thursday March 20^th through Monday March 24, 2008 to facilitate the move.  Court will resume in Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the new location.......download NOTICE TO BAR.

 February 5, 2008 - NOTICE TO JUDGES AND ATTORNEYS
Memo from Director/Chief Judge Calderone...re: Second Injury Fund Cases
In 2007, 1,838 second injury fund cases were closed. This number was well above the average for previous years of 1,292 closures. Further, open Second Injury Fund petitions were reduced from 4,597 in January 2007 to 4,102 in January 2008.......read full memo.