How to Fight the Insurance Company

workers-comp-benefits-cutoff-massachusetts-1024x683 Few moments are more unsettling for an injured worker than discovering that workers’ compensation benefits have stopped or been reduced. For many families, weekly checks are the primary source of income while an injury heals. When those payments change suddenly, the financial impact can be immediate.

Two things are critical at the outset: (1) workers’ compensation benefits can be reduced or terminated only for specific reasons, and (2) the insurer’s ability to do that depends heavily on whether you are still within the first 180 days of payments. This post explains common cutoff scenarios in Massachusetts, how the 180-day “payment without prejudice” period works, and what to do if your checks stop.

ChatGPT-Image-Nov-30-2025-03_42_46-PM-1024x683 If you’re hurt on the job in Massachusetts, one of the most stressful moments in your workers’ compensation case is the Independent Medical Examination, commonly called an IME. The workers’ comp insurance company sends you to a doctor who they choose, at a time they choose, for an exam you didn’t ask for.

And sometimes, that doctor comes back with a report that says the one thing you’ve been dreading:

“The injury is not work-related.”

If that just happened to you, you’re not alone—and your case is far from over. At Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, we hear from injured workers every week who find themselves in this exact situation. This blog breaks down what that IME really means, what the insurance company is trying to do, and most importantly, what you can do next to protect your benefits.

Articles Posted in How to Fight the Insurance Company

Can My Workers’ Compensation Benefits Be Cut Off in Massachusetts? Common Reasons and How to Respond