Massachusetts Work Comp Process

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 5, 2026

5 Costly Workers’ Compensation Mistakes to Avoid in Massachusetts

by Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, LLC

workers-comp-paperwork-construction-worker A new year often brings new jobs, new responsibilities, and new opportunities. Unfortunately, it can also bring new workplace injuries. If you were hurt on the job, the actions you take in the days and weeks that follow can have a lasting impact on your health, your income, and your future.

Every year, we see injured workers unintentionally harm their own workers’ compensation claims—not because they did anything wrong, but because they didn’t know how the system works. Massachusetts workers’ compensation law is complex, deadline-driven, and heavily influenced by insurance company practices.

Below are five of the most costly workers’ compensation mistakes to avoid in Massachusetts, especially as you head into a new year and try to get your life back on track.

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.