Jennifer Kocanowski v. Township of Bridgewater, Respondent-Respondent.

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division, holding that volunteer firefighters are entitled to temporary disability benefits under N.J.S.A. 34:15-75 regardless of whether they have outside employment at the time of injury. The Court based its decision on a de novo interpretation of the statute and its legislative history, finding the legislature intended to provide maximum compensation to all volunteer firefighters injured in the line of duty.