New Jersey Court Barred Injury Damages in Lawsuit
The appellate court ruled that a worker could not seek additional compensation for a previous workplace injury.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Human Resources
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The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that a warehouse worker cannot collect damages for a shoulder injury in a discrimination lawsuit. The court determined the injury resulted from a workplace accident rather than the alleged retaliation.
Why it matters
The ruling reinforces the exclusive-remedy protection of workers compensation, which typically prevents employees from seeking additional legal damages for injuries already addressed through the state system.
Dane Haskins received $85,995 in permanent disability benefits in a November 2022 settlement for his workplace shoulder injury. The court found this benefit payment accounted for the injury, rejecting efforts to seek further damages for it.
The players
Dane Haskins
He was a warehouse material handler who initiated legal action following his termination.
Ekornes
The company was the former employer of the plaintiff and faced claims of discrimination and retaliation.
Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division
This judicial body serves as the intermediate appellate court in New Jersey.
The details
The court reversed lower court orders that had previously allowed workers compensation evidence to be presented to a jury. It specifically rejected the argument that alleged workplace retaliation stripped the employer of its legal immunity under workers compensation laws.
Timeline
Dane Haskins injured his left shoulder in December 2020.
Haskins filed a workers compensation claim in June 2021.
The employer fired Haskins in December 2021.
Haskins received permanent disability benefits in November 2022.
The appeals court issued the ruling on September 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
This ruling follows the established precedent of New Jersey workers compensation exclusive-remedy protection regarding workplace accident liability. By restricting secondary litigation, the court maintains a clear boundary between state-mandated benefits and civil discrimination claims.
Employees in New Jersey should understand that workers compensation settlements typically serve as the sole financial remedy for workplace injuries. This decision limits the ability of plaintiffs to 'double dip' by seeking additional jury awards for injuries already covered by state benefits.
The takeaway
Workers should be aware that workplace injury claims and discrimination lawsuits are treated as distinct legal categories. Securing a settlement for physical disability often precludes the possibility of seeking further damages for the same injury in court.
Further reading
For more information on legal standards in the workplace, visit the New Jersey Human Resources section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Insurance.
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