Acting New Jersey Gov. Nicholas Scutari, who also maintains an active personal injury and workers compensation law firm, signed a bill Thursday that raises the attorney fee cap in litigated workers comp cases.
Acting Gov. Scutari signed S 2822/A 3986 after months of inaction by Gov. Phil Murphy, who had relinquished his gubernatorial duties while attending the Democratic National Convention.
The bill raises the contingency fee for attorneys representing injured workers from 20% to 25%. The original cap had been established in 1927.
The bill ensures “fair wages” for attorneys who work hard representing injured workers, Acting Gov. Scutari said in a statement.
“Today’s legislation makes a meaningful adjustment to the contingency attorney fee cap, ensuring fair compensation for attorneys and providing workers with the accessible, quality legal representation they deserve,” the statement reads.
Democratic State Sen. Joseph Lagana, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said the fee cap increase “will allow for more flexibility in the service of their (attorneys’) clients and allow for better and more comprehensive representation.”
