Union worker rights

January 5, 2026

5 Costly Workers’ Compensation Mistakes to Avoid in Massachusetts

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.

December 10, 2025

Massachusetts Workers’ Comp Guide: What to Do When Your Employer Refuses to File an Injury Report

by Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, LLC

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If you were injured at work in Massachusetts and your employer refuses to file an injury report, you are not alone. This situation happens far more often than most people realize. Every week, workers contact our office saying things like:

“My boss told me to use my own health insurance.”
“HR won’t file the paperwork.”
“They don’t believe the injury is serious.”
“They told me to take a few sick days instead.”

Here’s the truth:

**Under Massachusetts law, your employer must file a First Report of Injury (Form 101) — and if they don’t, you still have the right to receive workers’ comp benefits.**

This guide explains exactly what the law requires, why some employers refuse to file the report, and what steps you can take immediately to protect your weekly checks, medical care, and job.

November 30, 2025

What Happens When an IME Doctor Claims Your Injury Is Not “Work-Related”?

by Carney, Rezendes & Crowley, LLC

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.