Compensation for all classes of injuries shall run consecutively, and not concurrently, except as provided in this section and in section 34:15-15 of this Title, as follows: First, medical and hospital services and medicines as provided in said section 34:15-15 After the waiting period, compensation during temporary disability. If total period of disability extends beyond 4 7 days, compensation to cover waiting period. Following both, either or none of the above, compensation consecutively for each permanent injury, except that permanent disability, total or partial, shall not be determined or awarded until after 26 weeks from the date of the employee’s final active medical treatment, or until after 26 weeks from the date of the employee’s return to work, whichever is earlier, or, if no time is lost or no treatment is rendered, then permanent disability, total or partial, shall not be determined or awarded until after 26 weeks from the date of the accident, except in cases of amputation or enucleation or death from other cause within that time and except when earlier determination of permanent disability is waived by the employer or his insurance carrier. Nothing herein contained shall prevent an employer or his insurance carrier from paying permanent disability compensation voluntarily prior to the expiration of the 26-week period. Following any or all or none of the above, if death results from the accident, expenses of last sickness and burial. Following which compensation to dependents, if any.

Where an employer or his insurance carrier desires to pay for or furnish compensation, medical, surgical, or hospital treatment, drugs, orthopedic or prosthetic appliances, after the date when payments under sections 34:15-12 and 34:15-13 of this Title have terminated, the employer or his insurance carrier may, in writing, reserve the defense of the jurisdictional limitations provided by sections 34:15-27, 34:15-34, 34:15-41 and 34:15-51 of this Title; provided, that the reservation is approved by a deputy director after advising the petitioner personally of his rights and of the effect of such reservation.

Amended by L.1945, c. 74, p. 390, s. 8; L.1956, c. 141, p. 572, s. 4; L.1959, c. 138, p. 579, s. 1; L.1966, c. 126, s. 4.