Boston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Were you hurt on the job in Boston, MA? Do you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim? Call an experienced Boston workers’ compensation lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP for help getting the full amount you deserve.
Our attorneys have been fighting for clients in Boston for more than a decade–and we’ve already recovered millions in compensation.
Ready to learn more about how we’ll fight to maximize the value of your compensation?
Call our law firm in Boston, Massachusetts at (617)-391-9001 to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP Can Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Boston
Workers’ compensation is there to help you get back on your feet after you get hurt on the job. You’re entitled to benefits regardless of your line of work. Whether you work in an office building or downtown construction site, you’re eligible if you’re hurt on the job.
Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, the process can be much more complex. Employers and the workers’ comp insurance company often deny claims for even the most minor errors.
They might try to undercut the value of your weekly wage payments–or claim that your injury didn’t even happen at work.
An experienced Boston personal injury lawyer can help. When you hire Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP to handle your case, you’ll have 100 years of combined experience in your corner.
Our team will:
- Make sure your paperwork, including the initial Form 110, is complete and filed on time with the Department of Industrial Accidents
- Defend you if the insurance company denies or undervalues your claim
- Investigate and review your medical records to find out what caused your injuries
- Help you understand all options for recovering compensation, including third-party lawsuits
You have enough to worry about if you were hurt on the job. Hiring a Boston personal injury attorney is the best way to get the full compensation you deserve. Call today for a free case review if you’re interested in learning more.
What is My Boston Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?
The first step in determining the value of your workers’ compensation benefit is finding out whether you qualify in the first place.
In Massachusetts, you’re eligible to file a workers’ comp claim if:
- You were an employee
- You were injured on the job or became ill because of something at work
- Either (1) you were unable to work for at least six full or partial days, whether consecutive or not, or (2) you’re able to work, but unable to earn as much as you did before the accident
Most workers in Massachusetts are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. You’re entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable medical treatment associated with the work-related injury. The system provides a formula for determining the value of your wage replacement benefits, depending upon the type of benefit you’re claiming.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If you’re completely unable to work for at least six days, you’re entitled to lost wages equal to 60% of your average weekly wages over the 52-week period prior to the accident. For higher earners, this amount might be capped at the state average weekly wage in place at the time of your injury.
Temporary total disability benefits are available for 156 weeks. If you can’t work for at least 21 days, you can also receive payment for the first five days of disability.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Some workers are able to work, but not in the same capacity as they did prior to getting hurt. If that’s the case, you can receive up to 75% of your total temporary benefits (which, of course, are 60% of your average weekly wages).
Temporary partial disability benefits are available for up to 260 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
If you’re permanently unable to return to work, you’re eligible for 66% of your average weekly wages prior to the accident. However, these benefits are capped at the state average weekly wage in place at the time of your injury.
Permanent total disability benefits are available for as long as you’re unable to work.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Work Accident Victims?
Workers’ compensation in Boston provides injured employees with compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
You may be eligible for the following types of damages, depending upon the severity and nature of your injuries:
- Reasonable medical expenses
- Temporary total disability benefits
- Temporary partial disability benefits
- Permanent and total disability benefits
- Scarring, permanent loss of function and disfigurement
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Survivor and dependent benefits, if the work accident was fatal
Getting the full benefits you deserve isn’t always simple. Our Boston workers’ compensation attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP will fight to get the full amount you deserve. All you have to do is call to arrange a free case review to get started.
Third-Party Claims
An injured worker in Boston doesn’t have the right to sue their employer for damages. However, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against a third party. If a third party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the economic and non-economic damages associated with your injury.
In other words, like any car accident victim, you may be entitled to money for:
- Medical bills
- 100% of your lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitative care
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and depression
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Diminished quality of life
- Damages for wrongful death
If you think someone other than your employer caused your accident, call our law offices right away. We’ll investigate your accident to determine whether you have the right to obtain compensation outside the workers’ compensation system.
Can I Claim Workers’ Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Workplace Accident in Massachusetts?
Yes. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. If you were hurt or became ill because of something at work, you have the right to benefits regardless of who or what caused your injury.
Personal injury cases are handled differently. If you’re eligible to file a third-party claim, you’ll have to worry about Massachusetts’ modified comparative negligence law. Under that law, you can only recover compensation if you were less than 51% to blame for the accident.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can be serious. You might be completely unable to work–or you might not be able to earn as much as you did before you got hurt.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we represent all injured workers, including those who have sustained:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Bone and ligament injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Chest injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Remember, if you were performing some type of work-related duty when you were hurt, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits. If you have questions about how we can help you obtain the full amount you deserve, give us a call today.
What Causes Most Work Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts?
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, our personal injury lawyers in Boston handle all work accident cases, including those involving:
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Welding accidents
- Explosions and fires
- Industrial accidents
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Trenching accidents
- Ladder accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Accidents involving heavy machinery
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or hazardous materials
- Defective products
- Premises liability and inadequate security
Were you injured on the job? Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.
Do I Have to Prove Negligence to Claim Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Massachusetts?
No. Because of that, you might think that determining the exact cause of your injury or illness isn’t always critical–but it’s important to know whether you might be eligible for additional benefits. Some work accidents are caused by employer or employee negligence. You’re still entitled to workers’ comp benefits in these cases.
However, you might be entitled to additional benefits if a third party:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Breached that duty
- Caused your injuries
- Caused you to suffer a bodily injury or incur other damages
If you were hurt on the job, our lawyers are here to help. We’ll do everything we can to recover the full amount you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Massachusetts?
If you get hurt on the job in Massachusetts, you have to file a formal workers’ compensation claim within four years. The clock starts running on the date you became aware of the connection between the illness or injury and work.
If the work accident was fatal, surviving family members have four years from the date of death to file a claim.
If you’re eligible to file a third-party claim for additional damages, personal injury laws give you three years to file a lawsuit.
Contact a Boston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Getting fair workers’ compensation benefits can be complex. Call an experienced Boston workers’ compensation lawyer at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP today. We’ll help you overcome any challenges you’re facing so that you can get the money you need. Best of all, your consultation is 100% free of charge.