Brighton Workers Compensation Lawyer
The benefits you earned
should not be denied.
- No fee unless we win
- Same-day response
- Free case review
As Seen On:
A Brighton workers compensation lawyer who stands with you.
A workplace injury can put your health, your paycheck and your family’s stability at risk all at once. Massachusetts workers’ compensation is supposed to make that easier: it pays for your medical treatment and replaces part of your lost wages no matter who caused the injury. In practice, insurers delay, dispute and deny valid claims every day, hoping you will give up.
You do not have to accept that. As a dedicated Boston workers compensation practice, Larson Law makes sure your injury is properly documented, your benefits are calculated correctly, and every deadline is met, and we take the fight to the insurer through the Department of Industrial Accidents when they refuse to pay what you are owed.
We also look beyond the comp claim itself. When someone other than your employer helped cause your injury, a separate case may be available for the full damages that workers’ compensation alone does not provide. Finding that path is part of what we do.
What our clients say
We fight for injured workers, not insurers.
- We handle work-injury claims of every kind, from back and shoulder injuries to serious trauma.
- We push back when an insurer denies, delays or lowballs the benefits you have earned.
- We make sure your average weekly wage and your benefit rate are calculated correctly and fully.
- We represent you through the Department of Industrial Accidents, from conciliation to hearing.
- We look for a third-party case when someone other than your employer caused the injury.
- We keep you informed throughout.
- We answer when you call.
- No fee unless we win.
- Free case review, always.
$300K+ Won For Clients
100+ 5-Star Google Reviews
8+ Years of Legal Expertise
98% Legal Success Rate
100+ Injured Victims Helped
No Win, No Fee Guaranteed
How Massachusetts workers' compensation works.
A no-fault system
Massachusetts workers’ compensation is a no-fault system under General Laws chapter 152. If you are hurt on the job, you are entitled to benefits whether the accident was your fault, your employer’s, or no one’s in particular. You do not have to prove negligence — only that the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. Nearly every employer in the state is required to carry this insurance.
The trade-off, and its limit
In exchange for these no-fault benefits, you generally cannot sue your employer for the injury, and workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering the way a personal injury claim does. That trade-off makes it all the more important to secure every benefit the system does provide, and to identify any separate claim that can.
If your employer had no insurance
Almost every Massachusetts employer must carry workers’ compensation, but a few break the law and go uninsured. If you are hurt working for an uninsured employer, you are not out of options: the state’s Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund can pay your benefits, and the employer faces penalties for failing to insure. These claims have their own procedures, and we can help you pursue them.
Medical benefits
The insurer must pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury — doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and mileage to appointments. You have the right to choose your own treating doctor after an initial visit, and disputes over what care is “necessary” are common and worth fighting.
Getting your average weekly wage right
Almost every workers’ compensation benefit is a percentage of your average weekly wage, so an error here quietly reduces everything you receive. Insurers routinely calculate it low by leaving out overtime, a second job, tips or bonuses that should be included. We check the math against your actual earnings, because a corrected wage figure can raise the value of the entire claim.
Wage-replacement benefits
If your injury keeps you out of work, you may receive temporary total incapacity benefits under section 34, generally sixty percent of your average weekly wage. If you can work but earn less, partial incapacity benefits under section 35 may apply. For the most serious, lasting injuries, permanent and total incapacity benefits under section 34A can continue for life. Getting your average weekly wage right is critical, because every benefit is calculated from it.
Scarring, disfigurement and specific loss
Separate from wage benefits, section 36 provides additional compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement to the face, neck or hands, and for the permanent loss of function of a body part. These benefits are often overlooked, and insurers rarely volunteer them.
Vocational rehabilitation
If your injury prevents a return to your old job, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation — retraining and job-placement help to get you back to suitable work. It is a valuable benefit that is easy to lose track of without guidance.
The Department of Industrial Accidents
Disputed claims move through the Department of Industrial Accidents, or DIA, in stages: a conciliation, then a conference before an administrative judge, then a full evidentiary hearing, with further review available before the reviewing board. Each stage has its own rules and proof, and having representation from the start shapes the whole case.
Independent medical examinations
Insurers frequently send injured workers to an “independent” medical examiner whose report is used to cut off benefits. These exams are a routine pressure point, and preparing for them, and challenging a slanted report, is a core part of protecting your claim.
Third-party claims
When a party other than your employer — a negligent driver, a property owner, a subcontractor, or a product manufacturer — helped cause your work injury, section 15 allows a separate third-party lawsuit for the full damages, including pain and suffering, that workers’ compensation does not cover. These cases can substantially increase a total recovery, and they are easy to miss.
Occupational illness and exposure
Work injuries are not only accidents. Illnesses caused by the job — respiratory conditions from dust or chemicals, hearing loss from noise, skin conditions, and diseases linked to workplace exposure — are also covered by workers’ compensation. These claims turn on connecting the condition to the work, and insurers fight them hard, so strong medical evidence and a clear occupational history are essential.
How we build your claim
We start by getting your injury reported and documented correctly, then gather the medical records, wage information and witness accounts that prove both the injury and its effect on your ability to work. Where the insurer disputes the claim, we develop the medical evidence, prepare you for every step at the Department of Industrial Accidents, and press the case through to a hearing when that is what it takes.
Protection against retaliation
It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote or punish you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If that happens, you have additional legal rights beyond the comp claim itself.
Why claims get denied
Insurers deny valid claims for predictable reasons: a late or informal injury report, a gap in treatment, a pre-existing condition they can blame, a dispute over whether the injury is truly work-related, or an “independent” exam that says you can return to work. Recognizing the real reason behind a denial is the first step to overturning it, and most of these grounds can be met with the right medical evidence and documentation.
Lump-sum settlements
At some point an insurer may offer a lump-sum settlement to close your claim. A settlement can make sense, but once you accept it, your right to future benefits — including medical coverage — usually ends for good. The number on the table is rarely the full value of what you are giving up, which is why you should never sign one without understanding what your claim is truly worth.
Returning to work
Getting back to work is the goal, but it has to be done carefully. A premature return, or a “light-duty” offer designed to cut your benefits, can leave you worse off if your body is not ready. We make sure any return-to-work plan reflects your actual medical restrictions and does not quietly forfeit the benefits you still need.
The deadlines that matter
You must give your employer notice of the injury as soon as practicable, and a claim generally must be filed within four years of the date you became aware that your injury was work-related, under section 41. Waiting can cost you benefits and make the claim harder to prove, so early action matters.
Your Brighton workers compensation lawyer knows this community.
Where Brighton workers get hurt
Brighton runs on the work of its people — the restaurant and retail staff along Brighton and Washington Streets, the healthcare workers at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, the drivers, warehouse and delivery crews, the tradespeople on the neighborhood’s constant construction, and the office and service workers throughout Allston-Brighton. Every one of these jobs carries its own risk of injury, from a single bad fall to the strain that builds over years.
The injuries we see
Back and neck injuries from lifting, shoulder and knee damage, repetitive-strain conditions, burns and cuts in kitchens, slips on wet floors, and injuries from vehicles and machinery are all common here. Whether the injury happened in an instant or developed over time, the law protects workers hurt on the job.
Filing in Massachusetts
Disputed Brighton claims are handled through the Department of Industrial Accidents in Boston. We know the process, the administrative judges, and the tactics local insurers use, and we prepare each claim to withstand them.
Healthcare, hospitality and construction
Some of Brighton’s largest employers are in exactly the fields where injuries are common. Healthcare workers face lifting injuries and needlesticks; restaurant and hotel staff suffer burns, cuts and falls; and construction crews on the neighborhood’s building projects face some of the most serious risks of all. Whatever your trade, an injury on the job is covered, and you should not let an employer or insurer tell you otherwise.
Every worker is protected
Massachusetts workers’ compensation protects nearly all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers, and immigration status does not bar an injured worker from benefits. Employers sometimes suggest otherwise to discourage a claim. If you were hurt doing your job in Brighton, it is worth finding out exactly what you are entitled to, regardless of your role or status.
The wider region
Larson Law represents injured workers across the area, including as a Cambridge workers compensation and Quincy workers compensation firm, so people beyond Brighton get the same determined help with their claims.
Getting your benefits started
The first days after a work injury shape the whole claim. Reporting promptly, seeing a doctor who documents the work connection, and filing the right forms are what turn an injury into paid benefits rather than a denied claim. If your employer or its insurer has made that process harder than it should be, that is exactly the kind of obstacle we are here to clear.
When to reach out
The sooner you call, the sooner we can make sure your injury is reported correctly, your benefits start, and no deadline slips. Even if your claim has already been denied, a short conversation costs nothing and can change the course of your case.
A claim should cover every lasting cost.
A work injury can cost far more than a few missed shifts. Beyond the medical bills, there are the wages you cannot earn while you heal, the possibility that you can never return to the same work, the lasting effect of scarring or permanent loss, and the strain all of it puts on your family. Workers’ compensation is meant to cushion that blow, but only if every benefit you are entitled to is claimed and defended, and only if the insurer is held to the law. A properly handled claim accounts for all of it, and looks hard for any additional recovery the law allows through a third-party case.
Medical Treatment and Care
Lost Wages and Disability
Scarring and Specific Loss
Death Benefits for Families
Simple steps that protect your health and your claim.
Report the injury and get treatment
Tell your employer about the injury in writing as soon as you can, and get medical care right away. Prompt reporting and a well-kept medical record are what start your benefits and protect your claim.
Keep detailed records of everything
Save every medical bill, work note, pay stub and letter from the insurer, and record the dates, witnesses and what you were told. A complete record is your best protection in case a claim is disputed.
Speak to a lawyer before you settle
Do not accept a lump-sum settlement or agree to end your benefits before you understand their value. Speak with a Brighton workers compensation lawyer first so your rights and future remain protected.
- 5.0 stars out of 100+ reviews
Talk to a Brighton workers compensation lawyer today.
If you were hurt on the job and the insurer is delaying, denying or pressuring you to settle, you should not face the system alone. Larson Law offers a free, no-pressure case review, explains exactly where your claim stands and what benefits you are owed, and takes on the insurer and the Department of Industrial Accidents for you.
You can learn more about our full range of Boston personal injury services, then call or message us to speak directly with a Brighton workers compensation lawyer about your injury, your benefits, and any additional claim that may be available.
By submitting this form, you acknowledge that doing so does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not include confidential information. Contacting us does not obligate you to retain our services.
Our Clients.
Our Practice Areas.
Larson Law helps injured people and families across Massachusetts after a serious accident. If you were hurt by someone else’s carelessness in Boston, we are ready to listen and explain your options at no cost.
Workers' compensation claims, answered directly.
Do I really need a lawyer for a workers comp claim?
Not for every claim, but a lawyer becomes important the moment your claim is denied, your benefits are cut off, the insurer disputes your average weekly wage, or you are offered a settlement. Insurers have adjusters and doctors working full time to limit what they pay; having someone who knows chapter 152 and the DIA process levels the field. Because fees in comp cases are set and approved by the state — and there is no charge for an initial review — there is little reason not to at least find out exactly where you stand.
My claim was denied. What can I do?
A denial is not the end. Most contested Massachusetts claims are disputed at first and then resolved through the Department of Industrial Accidents. We file the claim, gather the medical evidence, and represent you through conciliation, the conference before an administrative judge, and a full hearing if needed. Many denials come down to missing documentation or a slanted insurer medical exam, both of which can be answered with the right proof. The important thing is to act quickly, because each appeal step has its own strict deadline.
Can I be fired for filing a claim?
No — it is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, cut hours, or otherwise punish you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If your employer retaliates, you have legal rights beyond the comp claim itself, and that retaliation can become its own separate case with its own damages. Fear of losing a job keeps many injured workers from claiming the benefits they have earned, but the law is written specifically to protect you from exactly that kind of pressure, and we can help you enforce it.
What benefits can I actually receive?
Depending on your injury, benefits can include full payment of reasonable and necessary medical care; temporary total benefits of about sixty percent of your average weekly wage while you cannot work; partial benefits if you return at reduced pay; permanent and total benefits for the most serious injuries; extra compensation for scarring, disfigurement or permanent loss of function; and vocational rehabilitation to help you return to suitable work. Getting your wage calculation right matters, because it determines the value of nearly every one of these benefits.
The insurer wants me to see their doctor. Do I have to go?
Usually yes — the insurer is allowed to have you examined by a doctor of its choosing, and refusing outright can suspend your benefits. But these “independent” exams are frequently used to justify cutting you off, so how you prepare for one matters a great deal. We help you get ready, make sure the exam stays within its proper bounds, and challenge a report that does not square with your own treating doctors and the rest of the medical evidence in your file.
Can I sue my employer for my injury?
Generally no. In exchange for no-fault benefits, workers’ compensation is usually your exclusive remedy against your employer, so you cannot sue the employer for the injury or for pain and suffering. There are narrow exceptions, such as certain intentional conduct, and importantly, the exclusivity bar applies only to your employer — not to anyone else. If a different party contributed to your injury, a separate claim against them may still be fully available to you.
What if someone other than my employer caused my injury?
Then you may have a third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation. If a negligent driver hit you while you were working, a defective machine hurt you, or a subcontractor or property owner created the hazard, section 15 allows a separate lawsuit against that party for the full damages — including the pain and suffering — that comp does not pay. These claims can significantly increase a total recovery and are easy to overlook, so every work injury is worth reviewing carefully for one.
How long do I have to file?
You should report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, and a claim generally must be filed within four years of when you knew, or should have known, that your injury was work-related. That window can be longer than people expect for conditions that develop over time, but waiting is still risky, because memories fade, records disappear, and benefits you could have received are permanently lost. The safest course is always to report promptly and get legal advice early.
What if my injury built up over time?
You are still covered. Not every work injury comes from a single accident; many — repetitive-strain conditions, back and joint problems, hearing loss, and illnesses caused by workplace exposure — build up gradually over months or years. These claims can be harder to prove because the insurer will argue the condition is not work-related, which is exactly where strong medical evidence and experienced representation make the difference. If your work caused or worsened your condition, it may well be compensable under Massachusetts law.
Will I be paid for pain and suffering?
Not through workers’ compensation itself. The comp system pays your medical bills, replaces part of your lost wages, and provides specific benefits for scarring or permanent loss, but it does not pay for pain and suffering the way a personal injury claim does. That is one important reason third-party claims matter so much: when someone other than your employer caused the injury, a separate case can seek the pain-and-suffering damages that comp simply cannot provide. We review every work injury for exactly that possibility.
What will hiring a lawyer cost me?
There is no charge to review your case, and workers’ compensation attorney fees are regulated by the state. In a Massachusetts comp claim, the fee is a percentage set and approved by the Department of Industrial Accidents, and in many situations it is paid by the insurer when you win benefits rather than taken out of your own pocket. You should never let worry about cost stop you from getting help with a denied or disputed claim, because that is precisely when help matters most.
What should I do after a work injury in Brighton?
Report the injury to your employer in writing right away, and get medical care, telling the provider exactly how the injury happened at work. Keep copies of everything — medical records, the injury report, pay stubs and any letters from the insurer. Follow your treatment plan closely, and do not agree to a settlement or sign a benefit-ending form before you understand its true value. Then call a Brighton workers compensation lawyer to make sure your claim is filed correctly and your benefits are fully protected.
Results Disclaimer: Past case results, settlements, and verdicts mentioned on this website do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is unique and depends on its own facts and legal issues.