Kibble v. Weeks Dredging & Construction Co.

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

*182STEIN, J.

The critical issue in this appeal is whether a worker who settles his or her workers’ compensation claim pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-20 (Section 20) simultaneously can waive the future right of his or her spouse to assert a statutory claim for dependency benefits in the event of the worker’s death. See N.J.S.A. 34:15-13. The Division of Workers’ Compensation held that the worker’s waiver of his spouse’s dependency claim was binding on his widow. In an unpublished opinion the Appellate Division affirmed. We granted certification, 157 N.J. 541,…