The cost of workers’ compensation insurance continues to decline in Massachusetts, even as injured workers face a fight for benefits. Massachusetts employer pay into the workers’ compensation system based on a percentage of payroll. Boston Business Journal recently reported the workers’ compensation rate has declined for the fourth year in…
There is no question we are in the midst of a major opioid abuse epidemic in the U.S. Traditionally, the Greater Boston area always had more problems with heroin abuse as compared to many other areas in the nation. But now we are seeing more and more people struggling with…
In cases where an employee is killed while on the job, the family will still have to file a workers’ compensation claim, just as the injured employee would have to do in a non-fatal on-the-job accident case. These cases can result in the payment of past medical expenses, reasonable burial…
According to a recent news article from WCVB 5 News Boston, fatal Boston work accidents are at the highest levels they have been since 2000, and this is justifiably causing serious concern. This not only includes the City of Boston, but also fatal work accidents in the Greater Boston metro…
In most serious Boston workers’ compensation cases, we have an injured worker who needs to undergo medical treatment, and will also miss considerable time away from work. These are exactly the type of cases for which the workers’ compensation system in the Commonwealth was established. However, there are also cases…
In most jobs in the Greater Boston area, a worker is an employee of his or her company or boss and there is very little question about that classification. This is true if you work for hourly wages at a fast food restaurant and it is also true if you…
Opioid addiction is a major public health problem in Massachusetts, and tragically, many people become hooked on these powerful painkillers as a result of a workplace accident. The latest quarterly statistics on opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts residents, as supplied by the state Department of Public Health, reveals there were…
Falls on-the-job are among the most common type of injury on construction sites in Boston. They are also often quite serious and sometimes deadly. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), keeps detailed records and statistics of work-related fall injuries. According to OSHA, the top four most common workplace…
The supplemental pay (vacation and sick day credits) received by a government worker to offset his income while he was unable to work due to disability should not be considered “regular compensation” that is going to count against him in determining his disability date. This case, Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission…
Anytime someone is injured on-the-job in Massachusetts, the first course of action is typically a workers’ compensation claim. Pursuant to MGL c. 152 section 25A, most employers in the Commonwealth are required to purchase workers’ compensation that will provide coverage to employees who are injured at work or contract a…