Springfield Workers' Compensation Lawyer

If you are hurt while working in Springfield, you are generally protected by the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act, Chapter 152 of the General Laws. The system is designed as a no-fault trade-off: injured employees receive prompt medical and wage-loss benefits without having to prove employer negligence, and in exchange, most lawsuits against the employer are barred. All employers with one or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance or obtain approval to self-insure. The law applies to full-time, part-time, seasonal, and immigrant workers. Failure to ensure can trigger criminal penalties, double compensation awards, and a stop-work order against the business. Our Springfield workers’ compensation lawyers can help you obtain the maximum compensation from your claim.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers' connection to Springfield goes beyond the legal landscape, and it's a community we proudly call home. Our Springfield personal injury law firm brings local insight and legal expertise to provide comprehensive and effective representation for those navigating the complexities of workplace injuries.

• Employees in nearly every industry, from healthcare at Baystate Medical Center to manufacturing at Smith & Wesson.
• Union and non-union laborers, temporary workers, interns, and some volunteers who receive stipends.
• Police, firefighters, and municipal employees, although public-sector claims are sometimes handled through separate statutes.
• Out-of-state employers with staff who regularly work in Massachusetts are still required to provide Massachusetts workers' compensation coverage.

Specific categories, such as independent contractors, members of certain limited liability companies, real estate salespersons, and taxi drivers, may be exempt; however, misclassification is common. If you receive a W-2, follow established schedules, or use company equipment, you are likely an employee eligible for benefits.

• Traumatic injuries from falls at MGM Springfield, Amazon fulfillment centers, or construction sites along I-91.
• Repetitive-stress conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can occur from precision machining or data-entry work.
• Occupational illnesses, COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings, chemical inhalation at paper mills, or hearing loss in aerospace manufacturing.
• Aggravation of pre-existing conditions is compensable so long as workplace factors contribute in a "major" way.

• Report the incident to a supervisor as soon as possible; Massachusetts does not impose a rigid notice period, but delays invite disputes.
• Request medical attention; you may visit the nearest emergency room or doctor first. Employers or insurers may later request that you switch to an approved provider.
• Document everything: accident scene photos, witness names, incident reports, and pay stubs showing your average weekly wage.
• Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for guidance before giving a detailed statement to an insurance investigator.

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD). 60 % of your pre-injury average weekly wage (AWW), capped at the statewide average weekly wage (SAWW), which is $1,829.13 for injuries on or after Oct. 1, 2024.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). Up to 75 % of the TTD rate when you can perform lighter or part-time duties.
• Permanent and Total Disability (PTD). 66 ⅔ % of AWW, also capped at the SAWW, with annual cost-of-living adjustments.
• Medical benefits. All reasonable and necessary treatment, prescriptions, prosthetics, and mileage, with no copays or deductibles.
• Scarring, loss-of-function, and disfigurement awards. One-time payments for visible scars, amputations, or loss of sight/hearing.
• Survivor and dependency benefits. Weekly checks and burial expenses are provided when a work-related injury results in a fatal outcome.
• Vocational rehabilitation. Free job-retraining services through the DIA's Office of Education & Vocational Rehabilitation (OEVR).

Massachusetts bases weekly checks on your gross AWW during the 52 weeks before injury:

• Calculate total pre-tax earnings (including overtime, bonuses, and the market value of fringe benefits such as lodging) and divide by 52.
• Multiply by the statutory percentage—60 % for TTD, two-thirds for PTD—or, for TPD, take 75 % of the TTD rate and subtract post-injury wages.
• Ensure the result falls between the minimum of $365.83 (20 % of the SAWW) and the maximum of $1,829.13 for injuries after Oct. 1, 2024.

• You may see any provider that takes workers’ compensation rates.
• Treatment must be approved through a process called Utilization Review.
• Insurers may schedule an Independent Medical Examination (IME); failing to attend can result in the suspension of benefits, so consult with counsel immediately.

Workers who cannot return to their former occupation may be referred to the DIA's Springfield Office of Education and Vocational Rehabilitation at 436 Dwight St., Room 105, Springfield, MA 01103 for:

• Aptitude testing and transferable skills analysis.
• On-the-job training or ergonomic workplace modifications.
• Job-search counseling and résumé preparation.

Participation is generally voluntary, but refusing an appropriate plan can jeopardize partial-disability benefits.

TheDepartment of Industrial Accidents (DIA) Springfield Regional Office is located at 436 Dwight St., Room 105, a short walk from Union Station. When an insurer denies or stops benefits, your attorney files Form 110 – Claim for Benefits. The dispute then follows a three-tier procedure:

• Conciliation. An informal meeting with a DIA conciliator who tries to broker a settlement.
• Conference. A formal, yet still summary, evidentiary session before an administrative judge (AJ). The AJ may order or deny benefits via a Conference Order.
• A trial-like proceeding with sworn testimony, exhibits, and expert depositions. The AJ issues a Hearing Decision.
• If still aggrieved, parties can appeal to the DIA Review Board, then to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and finally to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Insurers often raise issues such as the causal relationship, the extent of disability, suitable employment, or Section 1(7A) "combination injury" defenses. Experienced counsel prepares medical narratives, consults with vocational experts, and develops surveillance rebuttals to meet each challenge.

• File an appeal of the Conference Order within 14 days by paying a $650 fee (often recouped if you win).
• Obtain updated medical reports and, if necessary, depose the insurer's impartial examiner.
• Request § 8(1) penalties if an insurer stops payment without legal justification.
• Preserve all rights by meeting strict DIA timelines; missing even one deadline can forfeit retroactive compensation.

Workers' compensation bars lawsuits against your direct employer, but does not protect negligent third parties. Examples include:

• A subcontractor who fails to secure a trench that collapses.
• A defective forklift manufactured by an out-of-state company.
• A reckless driver who hits you during a delivery route.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can pursue a separate negligence or product-liability suit while your comp case continues. Any settlement or verdict offsets comp liens, but strategic structuring (e.g., § 15 petition, allocation among damages categories) can maximize your net recovery.

Massachusetts General Laws c. 152, § 75B(2) prohibits employers from firing or otherwise discriminating against employees for exercising workers' compensation rights. Remedies include:

• Reinstatement to your prior position with full seniority.
• Triple lost wages under the Massachusetts Wage Act.
• Attorney's fees and costs.

Document adverse actions, poor reviews, schedule cuts, demotions, and contact our office immediately.

• Local Knowledge: Our firm has navigated the Springfield DIA docket for decades and is familiar with every judge.
• Comprehensive approach: We review medical treatment, negotiate liens, and screen all cases for third-party claims, Social Security Disability offsets, and potential PFML overlap.
• Aggressive advocacy: We pursue § eight penalties and late-payment interest so clients keep more of their checks.
• No-fee promise: We advance all costs and collect only if we recover your benefits.
• 24/7 access: Call or text any time; virtual consultations and home or hospital visits are available.

A workplace injury can upend your health, finances, and family life overnight. Massachusetts law gives you robust protections, but insurers exploit every loophole, and unrepresented workers forfeit thousands in wages and medical benefits. Let Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers shoulder the legal burden while you focus on healing.

• Free, confidential case evaluations.
• Spanish-speaking staff and translation services.
• Convenient downtown Springfield meeting locations and parking validation.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. To discuss the specifics of your case, call (413) 278-0645 or complete our online form today.

Springfield Office

1500 Main St, 8th floor
Springfield, MA 01115
Phone: (413) 278-0645