There are many types of industries located in Boston, including those traditionally associated with a high number of workplace injuries, such as construction, transportation, iron and steel work, law enforcement, and firefighting. When a workplace injury occurs involving one of these industries or any workplace, the injured worker may be eligible for medical, wage loss, and other benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation program. This program requires nearly all employers to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy in place to cover these benefits from the very first day of the worker’s employment.
If you have suffered a workplace illness or injury, a Boston workers’ compensation lawyer from Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C. could help you understand the process of obtaining these benefits and assist you with this often complex process.
There are many types of workplace injuries and illnesses that are covered by workers’ compensation. Acute injuries occurring in the workplace due to slip and falls, equipment malfunctions, or lifting may be covered under workers’ compensation, including fractures, cuts, sprains, and even more serious injuries such as spinal cord or brain injuries, back injuries. In extreme cases, death may occur. Injuries resulting from repetitive motion, such as carpal tunnel, may also be covered, as well as illnesses occurring due to toxic exposure.
In order to receive benefits, the injury must have occurred while the worker was at the workplace or performing work-related activities. It must result in the worker missing at least five days of work, with wage loss from the first five missed days being covered if the worker continues to miss work because of the injury for at least 21 days.
It should be noted that, to receive workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker must take certain steps, including promptly notifying their employer of the injury, seeking medical care, and ensuring that their employer files the necessary paperwork so they can access workers’ compensation coverage. The Boston lawyers at our firm could provide essential legal services and offer guidance throughout the workers’ compensation claims process.
Workers’ compensation provides two main types of benefits, including medical coverage and wage loss. The medical benefits cover all necessary costs associated with treating the injury or illness, including:
Wage loss is typically around 60 percent of the worker’s average weekly wage for temporary total and temporary partial disabilities. If the worker is permanently injured, they may receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage until they reach retirement age.
In addition to wage loss and medical benefits, injured workers may also receive vocational rehabilitation so that they can change to a different position that they are able to handle with their injuries. If a worker dies as a result of a workplace injury or illness, their family members may be eligible to obtain death benefits through a Boston workers’ compensation claim, which a lawyer could assist with.
If you have suffered a workplace injury, it can be difficult to understand the process for obtaining the benefits you are entitled to receive. Let us help you understand how this process works, answer the questions you have about your case, and tell you about the services a Boston workers’ compensation lawyer could provide to assist you in getting the maximum compensation available for your injury.
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