On September 25, 2025, the New Jersey Supreme Court heard oral argument in Giuseppe Amato v. Township of Ocean School District, a case addressing whether schoolteachers qualify as “essential employees” under New Jersey’s COVID-19 presumption statute. Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman attorney Jeffrey Monaghan, a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ) Board of Governors, appeared as amicus curiae in support of the worker’s claim.
What the Court Is Considering
During the public health emergency declared in March 2020, New Jersey law created a presumption that certain essential workers who contracted COVID-19 did so in the course of employment. The Court is evaluating how that presumption applies to teachers who were required to return to in-person instruction.
- Teacher required to return to in-person instruction in fall 2020.
- Subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and later passed from complications in May 2021.
- The legal question: whether teachers fall within the statute’s “essential employee” presumption for workers’ compensation benefits.
“This case will guide how New Jersey treats frontline educators under the COVID-19 presumption statute.” — PR&A Workers’ Compensation Team
Why This Matters
The decision will provide important guidance for educators and other public-facing workers seeking benefits related to COVID-19 exposure at work.
PR&A will provide an update when the New Jersey Supreme Court issues its decision.
Need help with a New Jersey workers’ compensation claim? Schedule a free consultation or visit our Workers’ Compensation practice page.
This news update is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
