Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Cambridge

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

  The Cambridge Police Department's non-emergency phone number is 617-349-3300.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

  To request public records from the Cambridge Police Department, you can choose from three options: electronic, handwritten, or in-person requests. For electronic requests, download the pdf-fillable Application for Public Records form (https://www.cambridgema.gov/~/media/Files/policedepartment/Forms/applicatforpublicrecordwithnofeestemplate.pdf), fill it out, save it, and email it to records@cambridgepolice.org. This is the fastest option. For handwritten requests, download the printable form, fill it out, and mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to 125 6th Street, Cambridge, MA 02141. If you prefer an in-person request, visit the Records Unit at the aforementioned address.

• When do workers' compensation benefits begin in Cambridge?

  Your workers' compensation coverage begins when you are injured at work in Cambridge. This means that if you suffer a workplace injury or illness, you are entitled to receive medical treatment coverage without worrying about paying co-pays or deductibles. However, weekly checks for compensation will only commence after you have been absent from work for five days. You will not be compensated for the first five days of absence unless you are unable to work for 21 days or more.

• How much money is paid out in Cambridge for workers' compensation?

  If you have been injured at work, the compensation you will get depends on your pre-injury earnings and the level of disability. In Cambridge, temporarily and totally disabled workers receive 60% of their average gross pay, while temporarily and partially disabled workers receive a maximum of 45%. Payment is subject to minimum and maximum compensation rates established each October based on the previous year's statewide average weekly wage. An attorney specializing in workers' compensation can assist you in determining the compensation amount during your absence from work.

• What happens if your employer in Cambridge is not sufficiently covered by insurance?

  If your employer in Cambridge does not have workers' compensation insurance, and you cannot work due to an injury or illness, you may file a claim with the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Trust Fund. The Department of Industrial Accidents established this fund to offer benefits to employees whose employers do not carry workers' compensation insurance. Alternatively, you may choose to file a lawsuit against your employer for failing to maintain workers' compensation coverage. Your uninsured employer may be held accountable for your health care costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

• Are you eligible for workers' compensation benefits if your loved one dies due to workplace violence in Cambridge?

  A spouse and dependent children of a Cambridge employee who had workers' compensation insurance and passed on due to workplace violence may qualify for death benefits. These benefits include burial expenses up to $4,00 and weekly benefits equal to 2/3 of the deceased's average weekly wage, up to the state average weekly wage. As long as the surviving spouse does not get remarried, he or she is eligible to collect these benefits. However, if the spouse does remarry, an eligible dependent child can continue to receive $60 per week, but the total amount cannot go beyond what the spouse was getting.

• If you were at fault for an object falling on you while working in Cambridge, are you still entitled to workers' compensation benefits?

  Yes. You may still be eligible for full workers' compensation benefits that cover lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, medication costs, and disfigurement, even if you are at fault for an object that falls and injures you in Cambridge. Your injuries' severity and long-term effects will determine how much and how long you receive compensation.

• What does a workers’ compensation attorney do?

  Workers’ compensation attorneys help injured employees recover monetary benefits following workplace accidents and illnesses. Attorneys in this practice area provide legal advice, gather evidence, review medical records, prepare petitions, and negotiate insurance settlements. They also represent clients’ interests during court cases and administrative hearings overseen by state workers’ compensation boards.

• What are the benefits of filing a workers’ compensation claim?

  Workers’ compensation insurance gives employees access to vital cash benefits in case of workplace injuries or illnesses. Filing a claim can help injured workers pay for medical care, physical therapy, and essential living expenses while they recover from a temporary or permanent disability. Workers’ compensation also pays for funeral and burial expenses following fatal workplace injuries.

• How long does a workers’ compensation claim stay open?

  Workers’ compensation claims typically remain open as long as the individual is receiving treatment or until the injured party reaches maximum medical improvement. This milestone varies for each person, and it can take years to determine whether a disability is temporary or permanent. Additionally, there’s a fixed time limit for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations can be anywhere from six months to two years from the date of the injury or the date of the last payment, depending on the worker’s state of residence. A qualified attorney can explain your state’s specific rules.

• What is the average payout for a workers’ compensation claim?

  Nationally, the average workers’ compensation claimant receives $21,800. Payouts range from $2,000 on the low end to upwards of $60,000 for well-compensated workers in high-income areas. The exact amount depends on the claimant’s average weekly paycheck, the extent of the injuries, and their state of residence. Individuals who accept an insurance settlement or initial offer typically receive less than those who negotiate or have an attorney represent them before an arbitrator or workers’ compensation judge.

• How are settlements calculated in workers’ compensation cases?

  Settlements typically cover current and future medical expenses, vocational rehabilitation or retraining, and two-thirds of lost wages. The total amount may vary depending on whether the worker’s disability is temporary or permanent. Workers’ compensation also pays death benefits, including funeral expenses and two-thirds of wages for up to 25 years or a state-specified maximum.

• What is workers comp?

  Workers' compensation is an insurance program that provides medical care, rehabilitation, and other benefits for employees who are injured or fall ill while performing assigned work duties. Common reasons for filing a workers' comp claim include slip and fall injuries, machinery accidents, or muscle strains while lifting heavy items.

  All businesses must carry some form of workers' compensation insurance, with minimum guidelines imposed by the state of residence. Workers' comp is intended to safeguard both the employee and the employer by providing a social safety net. This can protect companies from civil suits and guarantee that injured employees receive the benefits they need.

• What does workers comp cover?

  Workers' compensation insurance covers benefits associated with a wide range of accidents and illnesses that may occur in a place of work. This can include:

  • Medical benefits, such as payments for treatments, hospitalizations, or surgeries
  • Compensation for lost wages while not working
  • Coverage for ongoing care, such as physical therapy
  • Continued access to benefits, including insurance provided through an employer
  • Disability benefits, if an injury results in a permanent loss of functioning in some manner
  • Death benefits and funeral expense coverage

  How and when workers' compensation coverage applies depends on the illness or injury in question and the results of a medical exam. An unsatisfactory ruling by an insurer can be appealed with help from a workers' comp attorney.

  
  

• What does a workers comp defense attorney do?

  A workers' compensation defense attorney is a legal professional who represents the employer in a workers’ comp case. Typically, the defense attorney works to minimize the employer’s liability and reduce the amount of benefits to be paid out.

• When does workers comp start paying?

  How and when workers' comp starts paying can depend on both the circumstances and the state in which an injury took place. In most areas, benefits related to medical care start paying out immediately, even before a claim is formally processed or accepted. Once a case is approved, injured workers may be entitled to other benefits, including coverage for lost wages.

• How much is workers comp insurance for self-employed people?

  Workers' compensation isn't required for self-employed individuals, but those working in dangerous industries, such as construction or manufacturing, may choose to purchase policies. In some cases, employers may request this coverage when hiring a contractor. While costs will vary based on industry and location, most freelancers can expect to pay around $25 to $50 per month.

• How do I file a workers comp claim?

  A workers' comp claim is best filed as soon as an injury occurs. In some states, there are time limits, such as one month following an incident.

  After an injury, an employee must notify their employer. The employer must then provide access to the necessary forms and offer guidance. Employees must fill out all forms and return them to the employer who then files them with the insurer. Some states have additional requirements, including assessment by a medical provider. Once the paperwork has been filed, the insurance provider issues a ruling. If the ruling is unfavorable, the employee may choose to appeal the decision with the support of an attorney.