Injured at Work? Hire a Lawyer.

The most important reason to have a lawyer on your side is that in Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys are not allowed to charge their clients. Workers’ comp. lawyers get paid in Massachusetts only if they win, and the insurance company has to pay the lawyer. When a case ends in a settlement, the law permits a legal fee of twenty-percent. That said, having a lawyer help win a settlement will almost always result in a higher settlement than if an injured worker tries to negotiate with the insurance company on his or her own. Because you will never get a bill from a workers’ compensation attorney in Massachusetts, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Our lawyers are available for a free consultation, in person or by phone, virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The workers’ compensation laws in Massachusetts are meant to provide fast results for workers who are injured on the job. However, the laws can be complicated and insurance companies will often use this to their advantage. For example, insurance companies will use loopholes and tricks to delay payments or deny claims in order to force injured workers to give up and go back to work as soon as bills begin piling up.

Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys often hear from clients who have attempted to file workers’ compensation claims without help from a lawyer. If the claim form is filled out incorrectly, insurance companies can often have the claim thrown out on minor technicalities.

Further, insurance companies often make mistakes with regard to the amount of money injured workers are entitled to receive each week. The rules for calculating payment amounts can be complicated, especially for injured workers who have two jobs, who received a pay raise prior to being injured, who were due for a promotion, or who worked light duty. In these situations, the insurance company will calculate weekly benefits to try and pay as little as possible. Only a lawyer can check the insurance company’s math to make sure it is paying the correct amount.

Another reason to have a lawyer is to educate injured workers on what benefits may be available to them. Most people know that workers’ compensation provides weekly paychecks and medical treatment. Most people do not know that workers’ compensation benefits may also include a sum of money for any permanent impairment. This amount might be as high as $50,000.00 or more depending on the severity of the injury. Insurance companies usually do not tell people about this benefit.

Another benefit for injured workers is the vocational rehabilitation program. This is a program that, if eligible, forces the insurance company to pay for job retraining. We have had clients get retrained to earn a truck driver’s license, electrical licenses, healthcare licenses, and many have gone on to successful new careers after a devastating injury.

Finally, when dealing with the workers’ comp. insurance company, anything you say may be used against you. If you attempt to deal with the insurance company on your own, you run the risk of saying something that seems harmless being used against you to deny your claim.

If you were injured at work, you should absolutely speak with a lawyer who will take the time to explain your rights and educate you on what to expect.

Please contact us today for a free consultation.