Keeping Workplaces Safe For Workers In Massachusetts

For over 100 years, injured workers throughout Western Massachusetts and southern Vermont have turned to our law firm for guidance with workers’ compensation claims. If you turn to Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP, during this difficult time in your life, we will provide you with personalized service, sound guidance and effective legal representation.

If you were hurt at work, call us to arrange your free initial consultation. We can be reached in Massachusetts at 413-663-3200. With offices in North Adams, Springfield and Pittsfield, we help injured workers throughout Western Massachusetts.

What Are My Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Our Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys can guide you in obtaining the benefits to which you are entitled, including:

• Medical benefits: If you were hurt at work, you are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care to treat your injury. You have the right to choose your own doctor. Many injured workers encounter problems getting medical treatment. For example, if you need surgery, it must be approved by the insurance company. Sadly, many insurance companies deny paying for medically necessary surgeries. Our law firm has been very successful in pursuing claims for medical treatment to ensure our injured clients obtain their necessary surgeries and any other medical procedures.
• Mileage reimbursement: Did you know that you can be reimbursed for traveling to and from doctor’s appointments? Reimbursement rates are set by the federal government, and they change annually. Keep records of your travel to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy appointments and other travel that is necessary pertaining to your work injury.
• Temporary total disability benefits: If you have a temporary total disability, you hopefully will be able to return to work at some point. In the meantime, during your recovery period, you are entitled to 60 percent of your average weekly wage prior to the injury for up to 156 weeks, or three years. Lump-sum payments may be negotiated but need to be handled by an attorney and approved by an administrative judge.
• Temporary partial disability: You may be partially disabled from work, meaning that although you can return to limited duty or shortened hours, you are not earning your pre-injury wage. During that period, you are entitled to temporary partial disability benefits, payable at 60 percent of the difference between what you were earning prior to your injury and your current earnings. As a general matter, partial disability benefits cannot exceed 260 weeks (five years), although there are some exceptions. The maximum period of entitlement for temporary benefits, total and partial, cannot exceed 364 weeks (seven years).
• Permanent and total disability benefits: After exhausting all temporary benefits, if you remain unable to return to any work, you have a permanent and total disability. If you are totally and permanently disabled from work, you are entitled to 66.7 percent of your average weekly wage (up to Massachusetts’ maximum weekly compensation rate). There is no time limit for how long you can receive these benefits. Additionally, you may be entitled to cost-of-living adjustments after the first two years of benefits.
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits: After your work injury, if you are able to work but remain unable to perform the job you did prior to the injury, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services. This service will help you get trained in a different occupation to obtain new employment.
• Death benefits: If you are the spouse or a dependent of someone who died because of injuries sustained at work, you may be eligible for death benefits, including reasonable burial expenses, subject to a cap of eight times the employee’s average weekly wage and weekly benefits equal to 66.7 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage for a specified period of time.

Contact Our Lawyers For More Information About Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation

The above is general information, and our law firm can provide you with more information regarding your workers’ compensation claim. With offices and meeting locations throughout Western Massachusetts, we also travel regularly throughout the region to meet with our clients. Call us today to arrange your free consultation. Massachusetts clients can reach us at 413-663-3200. You can also contact us online.

All cases are handled on a contingent-fee basis — you will not have to pay any attorneys’ fees unless we win compensation in your case.