Getting hurt at work can turn your life upside down in an instant. Between medical treatment, lost wages, and trying to keep your household on track, the last thing you should have to worry about is fighting with an insurance company. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what many injured workers end up doing.
Hiring an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyer levels the playing field and ensures you get the benefits you’re entitled to under the law. At Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, we’ve seen firsthand how a well-handled claim can make the difference between financial stress and stability for an injured worker and their family.
1. The Workers’ Compensation Process Is Not as Simple as It Should Be
Massachusetts’ workers’ compensation laws are meant to protect injured workers, but in practice, the system is filled with technical rules and deadlines that can be easy to miss. You must notify your employer properly, file your claim on time, and make sure all medical documentation supports your disability.
Even small mistakes can delay your benefits or result in a denial. When you hire an attorney who focuses exclusively on workers’ compensation, your lawyer handles the process from start to finish — filing the claim, communicating with the insurer, scheduling medical evaluations, and representing you at the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) if necessary.
This allows you to focus on what really matters: getting better.
2. The Insurance Company Has One Goal — Paying You as Little as Possible
Workers’ compensation insurance companies don’t exist to protect injured workers — they exist to make money. Adjusters and defense lawyers are trained to limit payments, deny medical treatment, and find any reason to stop your checks.
A Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney who knows how insurers operate can push back effectively. Your lawyer will make sure your average weekly wage is calculated correctly, ensure all necessary medical treatment is approved, and file motions or appeals when the insurer fails to meet its obligations.
At our firm, we deal with these insurance companies every day — and we don’t let them take advantage of our clients.
3. You May Be Missing Out on Additional Benefits
Most injured workers know about weekly disability checks, but the workers’ compensation system provides several other important benefits, including:
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Vocational rehabilitation or retraining if you can’t return to your old job
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Lump-sum settlements when your injury has long-term effects
An experienced attorney will review your case from every angle to make sure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to — not just the ones the insurer volunteers to pay.
4. Medical Treatment Delays Are Common — But Avoidable
One of the most frustrating parts of a workers’ comp claim is getting the medical treatment you need approved. Insurers often delay or deny requests for surgery, therapy, or specialist care.
When you’re represented by a workers’ compensation lawyer, your attorney can immediately file a motion with the DIA to force the insurer to authorize treatment. The sooner that happens, the sooner you can get back to healing and back to work.
5. Some Injuries Involve More Than Just Workers’ Comp
Not every work injury ends with a workers’ compensation claim. If someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury — such as a subcontractor on a construction site or a negligent driver while you were on the job — you may also have a third-party personal injury claim.
Because our firm handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, we’re able to coordinate both claims and maximize your recovery. In some cases, a third-party settlement can be worth significantly more than the workers’ comp benefits alone.
6. You Don’t Pay Us Unless We Win
In Massachusetts, injured workers don’t pay out of pocket for legal fees. The insurance company pays the attorney’s fee if your claim succeeds, and fees are regulated by law. You pay nothing upfront — and nothing at all unless we secure benefits or a settlement for you.
7. The Bottom Line — Protect Yourself Early
The sooner you involve a workers’ compensation attorney, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your rights and build a strong case. Whether your injury is recent, your benefits were cut off, or the insurer has denied treatment, an experienced lawyer can make all the difference.
At Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, we’ve represented thousands of Massachusetts workers — including construction workers, nurses, first responders, and union tradesmen — helping them get back on their feet and recover what they deserve.
If you’ve been injured at work, don’t go it alone.
Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you get the benefits and medical care you’re entitled to.