2009 New Jersey Code
TITLE 34 - LABOR AND WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
34:15
34:15-20 - Dispute;  submission to division;  order approving settlement

34:15-20.  Dispute;  submission to division;  order approving settlement
    In case of a dispute over or failure to agree upon a claim for compensation  between employer and employee, or the dependents of the employee, either party  may submit the claim, both as to the questions of fact, the nature and effect  of the injuries, and the amount of compensation therefor according to the  schedule herein provided, to the Division of Workers' Compensation, as  prescribed in article 4 of this chapter (section 34:15-49 et seq.).  After a  petition for compensation or dependency claims has been filed, seeking  compensation by reason of accident, injury or occupational disease of any  employee, and when the petitioner is represented by an attorney of the State of  New Jersey, and when it shall appear that the issue or issues involve the  question of jurisdiction, liability, causal relationship or dependency of the  petitioner under this chapter, and the petitioner and the respondent are  desirous of entering into a lump-sum settlement of the controversy, a judge of  compensation may with the consent of the parties, after considering the  testimony of the petitioner and other witnesses, together with any stipulation  of the parties, and after such judge of compensation has determined that such settlement is fair and just under all the circumstances, enter  "an order approving settlement."   Such settlement, when so approved, notwithstanding any  other provisions of this chapter, shall have the force and effect of a dismissal of the claim petition and shall be final and conclusive upon the employee and the employee's dependents, and shall be a complete surrender of any right to compensation or other benefits arising out of such claim under the  statute.  Any payments made under this section shall be recognized as payments  of workers' compensation benefits for insurance rating purposes only.

     Amended by L.1979, c. 283, s. 8, eff. Jan. 10, 1980.