Yarmouth, MA Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

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If you were injured while at your job, you may be entitled to fair compensation, but not necessarily through a normal lawsuit. Instead, Workers’ Compensation may cover your case, and your employer should have insurance to cover your costs and lost income. To get started on your claim, contact an attorney for assistance as soon as you can.

Workers’ Compensation may cover a whole host of costs and financial needs. You may receive compensation for certain medical expenses, lost income, and other more specific injuries. The value of your specific benefits depends on your income and earnings history. It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer about your situation as soon as possible, even if you are unsure whether you are eligible or even need benefits. Your attorney can determine if you are eligible and help you file a claim quickly and efficiently. They can also help you determine what your claims should be worth so get all the benefits you are entitled to.

Get a confidential case evaluation from our Workers’ Compensation attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by calling (617) 925-6407.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Yarmouth, MA

Workers’ Compensation benefits may cover various costs, losses, and needs of injured employees. Your medical costs, lost wages, and even specific injuries like disfigurement or amputations may be compensated. The value of your benefits depends on your situation and income from before you were injured, and they may be worth more than you think.

Medical Costs

After a work-related accident, you likely needed medical care for your injuries. Depending on how badly you were hurt, you might have needed emergency medical attention, and your medical care might still be ongoing. Luckily, Workers’ Compensation may cover the costs of medical care.

It is important to note that only medical care deemed reasonably necessary may be covered. For example, after a bad accident, you might require surgery, pain medicine, and physical therapy to recover fully, and Workers’ Compensation should cover all this. However, if you also receive care that the insurance company believes is not reasonable or necessary to your recovery, they may push back and refuse to cover it. Review your medical care and costs with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers and we can help you prove that all your medical care was reasonably necessary.

Lost Income and Wages

One of the biggest concerns among injured employees is how to make ends meet while they cannot work and earn wages. Workers’ Compensation may provide benefits to make up for a portion of your lost income. How much these benefits are worth and how long you may continue receiving them depends on the severity of your injuries.

If you are only partially incapacitated and still able to work but in a reduced capacity, you may be entitled to partial incapacity benefits under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 152 § 35. You may receive benefits worth 60% of the difference between your average weekly wage from before you were injured and the average wage you are capable of earning while disabled. Typically, these benefits may last no longer than 260 weeks.

Others experience injuries that leave them totally incapacitated, but their injuries are expected to heal in time. In such cases, people may claim total temporary incapacity benefits under § 34. Recipients may be entitled to benefits worth 60% of their total average weekly income from before the accident. These benefits may last for no longer than 156 weeks.

For those with more severe injuries, they might be totally incapacitated and never fully recover. Such claimants may receive total and permanent incapacity benefits under § 34A worth two-thirds of their average weekly wages. Since your condition is expected to persist indefinitely, these benefits may be paid indefinitely.

Specific Injuries

Some specific types of injuries may warrant additional compensation. Specific injuries listed under § 36(1) may be eligible for additional benefits, the exact nature of which depends on the injuries involved in your case. For example, if your work-related accident causes you to lose an eye, you may receive compensation worth your average weekly wage multiplied by a factor of 39. If you lose both eyes, the multiplier may be increased to 96. The loss of senses, body parts, organs, and other permanent injuries may be entitled to additional compensation. If you experienced such losses, talk to an attorney about it immediately.

When to Speak to an Attorney About a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Yarmouth, MA

It is best to talk to a lawyer about your work-related accident as soon as possible after the accident initially happens. In many cases, employees are not eligible for Workers’ Compensation immediately after an accident. You must miss at least 5 days of work before you become eligible. Even so, it is not too soon to contact a lawyer. They can help you determine if and when you might become eligible and what steps to take when that happens.

Your attorney can advise you on the eligibility criteria and whether you have met them or can expect to meet them in the near future. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, your attorney can get to work right away. This may include communicating with your doctors, employer, and the insurance company responsible for providing Workers’ Compensation benefits. Your attorney can also help you figure out what your claims should be worth, so you get the compensation you need and deserve.

What Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Yarmouth, MA Might Be Worth

The specific value of your potential Workers’ Compensation benefits depends on your situation. As mentioned above, those with more serious injuries who are totally incapacitated may be entitled to somewhat greater benefits. However, that is not the only factor used to determine benefits. Your benefits are based on your average wages from before you were hurt. So, the more income you earned before the accident, the more your benefits may be worth. If your income was unpredictable or not always the same, your lawyer can help you calculate an average to use as a basis for your benefits.