Helping You Navigate the Workers’ Compensation Process
Suffering a work-related injury can be an overwhelming and challenging experience ― often leaving you with many unanswered questions. Will I ever be able to work again? Who is going to cover my medical expenses? How will I provide for my family after losing my income?
At Weigand Law, we understand how difficult and upsetting it can be to suffer an injury or illness due to your job or conditions at your workplace. We want you to know that we are here to answer all of your legal questions, including whether or not you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injury under Massachusetts workers’ compensation laws.
We have the experience to help all workers, from nurses and nursing assistants to landscapers and construction workers, and everyone in-between. Indeed, attorney Blair E. Weigand has about 30 years of legal experience.
Let the lawyers and dedicated legal professionals at Weigand Law help you obtain the maximum benefits available under Massachusetts workers’ compensation laws, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even mileage reimbursement for trips to and from medical appointments.
Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
The very first thing you should always do after a workplace accident is seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, you should report your work injury to your employer as soon as possible, both verbally and in writing.
Not only do these actions protect your own physical well-being, but they are also necessary to start the workers’ comp process, not to mention that you’ll likely need medical records detailing your work-related injuries in order to collect benefits.
There are countless work injuries that may qualify for workers’ comp benefits, including, but not limited to:
- Burns, cuts, and fractured bones
- Back problems, including hernias and slipped disks
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of limbs
- Illness due to exposure to toxic substances or infectious diseases at work
- Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Any injury that causes disability, either total or partial
- Emotional or psychological injury
You shouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet after suffering a work-related injury, so contact us to learn what legal options may be available to you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you have suffered a workplace injury and need to speak to a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney, contact Weigand Law today. Call us at 508-775-3118 or reach out to us online to schedule your FREE consultation.
We represent injured workers throughout Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, including Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. In fact, we have several office locations, including Hyannis, New Bedford, and Boston. Can’t make it to one of our offices? No problem, we will come to you.
You have nothing to lose, so let us help you get the medical treatment you need to get back to work, or to transition into disability if you are no longer able to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does workers’ compensation cover in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job or develop an illness as a result of their work. Benefits include payment of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the injury, weekly wage replacement benefits if you are unable to work or can only work in a limited capacity, and vocational rehabilitation in some cases. Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, you do not need to prove your employer was negligent to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
What should I do if I am injured at work in Massachusetts?
Report your injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Massachusetts law requires you to notify your employer within four years of the injury, but prompt reporting protects your claim. Seek medical treatment and make sure your provider documents that the injury is work-related. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and correspondence. If your employer or their insurer disputes your claim or offers a settlement, speak with an attorney before accepting anything.
Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?
Massachusetts law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you are fired, demoted, or otherwise penalized for exercising your right to benefits, you may have an additional legal claim against your employer.
Can I also sue my employer in a personal injury lawsuit?
In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against your employer, meaning you cannot also sue them in a personal injury lawsuit for the same injury. However, you may still be able to bring a third-party claim against someone other than your employer whose negligence contributed to your injury, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner.
How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in Massachusetts?
You generally have four years from the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim in Massachusetts. For occupational diseases, the four-year period typically runs from the date you knew or should have known the illness was work-related. These deadlines are strictly enforced.
What does it cost to hire a workers’ compensation attorney?
Weigand Law handles workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there may be no fee unless you recover compensation. Attorney fees in Massachusetts workers’ compensation cases are subject to approval by the Department of Industrial Accidents. There is no upfront cost and no fee for an initial consultation.