Exploring the Link Between Workplace Violence and Workers’ Compensation: A New Jersey Case Study

In Bloomfield, NJ, a recent legal case highlights the complexities surrounding workers’ compensation claims for injuries resulting from workplace violence. An Amazon driver, who arrived early for his shift and was waiting in the parking lot, was shot by an individual disguised in an Amazon vest. This incident followed a dispute over money with a former coworker, leading to speculation about the motive behind the attack. However, a workers’ compensation judge ruled the claim non-compensable, emphasizing the need for a direct causal link between the victim’s employment and the incident. The court further clarified that the assault, being personal and without any evidence tying it to the victim’s job other than its location, did not qualify for workers’ compensation. This decision underscores the criteria used to determine the compensability of injuries from workplace violence, focusing on the nature of the attack and its connection to the employment context.