This bill amends the workers' compensation law in New Jersey to increase the cap on contingency attorney fees from 20 percent to 25 percent of the judgment awarded. The change is intended to better reflect the additional responsibilities and complexities that attorneys for injured workers face in their cases. The bill also outlines the allowable fees for medical witnesses and establishes that no fees for evaluating physicians shall be contingent on the outcome of the case.

The revised legal language specifies that the reasonable attorney fee for cases decided in favor of the petitioner shall not exceed 25 percent of the judgment, and it details the fees that can be charged by medical witnesses for their services. The bill aims to ensure that attorneys are fairly compensated for their work while also maintaining oversight by judges of compensation, who must approve all counsel fees before payment. This act will take effect immediately and apply to all claims pending on or after the date of enactment.