Waltham was once nicknamed "Watch City" because it was associated with the watch industry. Although it was industrial at an earlier point in time, the city is now a center for higher education and research. Its top employers are Brandeis University, Bentley University, Bank of America, and Astra-Zeneca. If you suffer a job-related injury in Waltham and are disabled as a result, the experienced workers' compensation lawyers at Pulgini & Norton may be able to help you pursue benefits.
Workers' Compensation Benefits in MassachusettsDisabling injuries can occur in every industry and job, including the more sedentary occupations, such as those found at a university or in research. For example, carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injuries are common in those who work at desk jobs. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve and tendons that control the fingers. It is characterized by weakness, pain, and numbness in the wrist and hand. While carpal tunnel may sound minor, it can require an afflicted employee to adopt a modified work schedule or stop working altogether.
You may be eligible to receive weekly compensation benefits under the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Law if your injury or illness is job-related. If you realize that you have suffered a job-related injury, you should report it to your employer, and the employer must file a report with the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) once you are unable to earn wages for five full or partial days. Any disability that is less than five calendar days is considered a medical-only claim that does not have to be reported to DIA, although the employer does need to report it to the insurer so that you can receive medical benefits.
Some workers mistakenly assume that, since they have received lost wages and medical benefits shortly after a job-related accident, the employer and its insurer have accepted responsibility to continue paying these benefits. However, insurers may pay benefits for a certain period without prejudice and without actually accepting responsibility. The insurer uses a utilization review to analyze whether your injury or illness is caused by the job or due to other causes. The insurer can pay benefits for up to 180 days while it conducts its analysis.
The insurer can stop paying benefits if it determines you are not entitled to benefits. The insurer must give you written notice seven days before it stops paying you benefits and provide a reason for the denial. The insurer's determination may not be correct, and you have recourse to a dispute process through the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). In some cases, an insurer requests an extension of a year to make a decision on your claim. It needs your written consent before seeking approval from the DIA. You should consult an attorney before consenting.
If the period ends and the insurer has not issued a denial, the insurer can only stop paying benefits by getting your written permission or permission based on an administrative judge's order.
Enlist a Waltham Lawyer after a Workplace AccidentInsurers are often more concerned with their bottom line than with making appropriate payments to injured or ill individuals who have been harmed on the job. The knowledgeable workplace accident attorneys at Pulgini & Norton are committed to helping injured employees in Waltham and the surrounding area pursue the workers’ compensation benefits that they need. Contact us at 781-843-2200 or through our online form for a consultation.