Bill
Bill > S1555
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends the workers' compensation law to provide that if an employee was intoxicated when the injury or death occurred, it is presumed that the injury or death was caused by the intoxication and the employee will be barred from receiving workers' compensation. This bill is, in part, a response to the New Jersey Supreme Court case of Tlumac v. High Bridge Stone, 187 N.J. 567 (2006), in which the Court reaffirmed a long standing rule that held intoxication must be the "sole cause" of an accident in order to deprive an employee of workers' compensation benefits. In its decision, the Court stated that its role is to "effectuate the will of the Legislature" and concluded that any changes to the workers' compensation system must be done through legislation. Moreover, the Court noted that the workers' compensation law was created in 1911 and "may no longer comport with current policies."
AI Summary
This bill amends the workers' compensation law to establish a presumption that an employee's injury or death was caused by their intoxication if they were intoxicated at the time of the incident, thereby barring them from receiving workers' compensation benefits. This change is a legislative response to a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that previously required intoxication to be the "sole cause" of an accident to deny benefits, and the Court had indicated that any changes to this policy should come from the legislature. The bill also clarifies that intoxication being a "material contributing factor" to the injury or death, or the unlawful use of controlled dangerous substances being a "natural and proximate cause," can also lead to the denial of benefits.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1555 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1555_I1.HTM |
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