Injured Worker Rights

February 11, 2026

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

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.

January 20, 2026

Injured at Work — But Was Someone Else at Fault?

by Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, LLC

work_injury_third_party_claim_no_text If you were injured at work, you were likely told that workers’ compensation is your only remedy. Workers’ compensation does provide important benefits, but it is not always the only legal claim available — and in many cases, it is not the most valuable one.

In Massachusetts, a large number of workplace injuries are actually caused by the negligence of someone other than the employer. When that happens, injured workers may have the right to pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

These third-party claims can dramatically increase an injured worker’s total financial recovery. Unfortunately, they are also frequently missed or never investigated, especially in high-volume workers’ compensation practices.

Understanding Third-Party Claims in Work-Related Injury Cases

A third-party claim is a civil personal injury lawsuit brought against a negligent person or company other than your employer or a co-worker.

November 21, 2025

Why Is the Insurance Company Sending Me for an IME? What Massachusetts Workers Need to Know.

by Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, LLC

doctor-and-patient-photo-1024x683 If you’re hurt on the job and receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Massachusetts, there’s a good chance the insurance company will eventually send you a letter telling you to attend something called an IME.

Most injured workers panic when this happens — and for good reason. An IME can affect your weekly checks, your medical treatment, and the entire direction of your case. But once you understand what an IME really is, why the insurance company is sending you to one, and how the results are used, you’ll be in a much better position to protect yourself.

This guide breaks it all down in simple, blue-collar language.

What Exactly Is an IME?

IME stands for Independent Medical Examination.

But the name is misleading. The doctor isn’t independent, and this exam is not for your benefit. The exam is ordered by the insurance company, done by a doctor they choose, and performed for the sole purpose of giving the insurer a medical opinion that can be used to:

Stop or reduce your weekly checks
Deny or limit your medical treatment
Claim you can go back to work
Say your condition is “pre-existing”
Dispute whether your injury is work-related

The doctor is not your treating physician and has no intention of giving you medical advice or helping you heal. Their job is simply to examine you quickly, review your medical records, and submit a written report that the insurer can use.