Often times the first thought that employees have after suffering an on the job injury is whether their injury will cause them to be looked upon negatively by their employer. It is common knowledge that an injury that requires medical treatment and lost time from work will cost the employer…
A problem that is becoming more common for injured workers in Massachusetts is finding a competent doctor who will accept worker’s compensation insurance and the medicalreimbursement rates that Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation insurers are obligated to pay. To better understand why not all doctors are willing to accept patients who have…
Workers’ Compensation insurers must follow certain procedures in order to lawfully terminate or reduce Massachusetts workers’ compensation benefits. The procedure for modification or termination varies greatly depending on how long the insurance company has been paying benefits. THE FIRST 180 DAYS AFTER YOUR DISABILITY BEGINS If the insurer has began to…
All Massachusetts weekly workers’ compensation benefits are based off of the average weekly wage of the injured worker. How Is Average Weekly Wage Figured? The calculation of average weekly wage is always based upon the employee’s gross earnings. If the employee has worked a full year prior to the injury,…
There are many factors that determine the Lump Sum settlement value of a Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation claim. Some Massachusetts’ workers compensation claims may have no settlement value at all, while some may have a settlement value of several hundred thousand dollars (or more). While it is important to stress that…
On March 24, 2016, Alan Schwarz of the New York Times wrote a revealing article outlining the actions the NFL took to manipulate the opinions of neurologists they retained to study the effect of concussions and the health risks related thereto. The article also suggests that the NFL has relied…
Injured workers in Massachusetts who are eligible for Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation benefits may be required by the insurance company and/or their employer to submit to an examination by a registered physician. This requirement is pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 152, Section 45. The workers’ compensation insurer and/or the employer…
Injured workers in Massachusetts who are disabled from work and receiving workers’ compensation benefits may receive an unexpected “light duty” job offer from their employer. The light duty job offer by an employer to an injured worker can often times create a confusing situation for the…
Another disability benefit available for Massachusetts’ employees injured and out of work for more than one year is social security disability. For more information on who qualifies for SSDI benefits and how you can apply for SSDI, please refer to our SSDI practice area page. It is important to note that any…
On May 7, 2012 Sylbert Stewart fell from the edge of a dipping tank into a pool of chemicals, while cleaning the top of ventilation ducts in the course of his employment at the Belmont metal finishing factory where he has been employed for fourteen years. The Occupational Safety and Health…