New Bedford Workers' Comp Lawyer

Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injury across nearly every industry. Common causes in workplaces include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven or poorly maintained surfaces
• Cluttered walkways or work areas
• Inadequate lighting

Injuries from workplace falls can range from sprains and broken bones to head trauma and spinal damage. If a hazardous condition caused your fall, you may have a workers’ comp claim.

Workers in manufacturing, fishing, and construction regularly operate heavy machinery that can cause severe injuries when something goes wrong. These accidents can result in:

• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Severe lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries

Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still be eligible for workers’ comp benefits in Massachusetts.

Being struck by a falling tool, material, or piece of equipment is a hazard on construction sites, in warehouses, and aboard fishing vessels. These injuries can be serious, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal and neck damage
• Broken bones and facial injuries

Employers are required by law to maintain safe work sites and provide proper protective equipment. A failure to do so may strengthen your claim.

New Bedford is one of the busiest commercial fishing ports in the United States, and fishing consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations in the country. Workers aboard fishing vessels face risks, including:

• Deck accidents and equipment failures
• Falls overboard
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions
• Entanglement in nets or machinery

Injured maritime workers may have options beyond standard workers’ compensation, including claims under the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), as well as other federal maritime laws. The right path depends on your role and where your work takes place. For example, seamen who spend a significant amount of time working on a vessel may qualify to file a Jones Act claim, which allows them to pursue compensation for employer negligence. In contrast, dock workers, harbor workers, and other land-based maritime employees are often covered under the LHWCA, which provides benefits similar to workers’ compensation but under federal law. Each option has different requirements, benefits, and legal standards, so an attorney can help determine which avenue applies to your situation and what type of claim you may be able to pursue.

Construction workers face daily exposure to some of the most serious hazards of any occupation. OSHA’s “Fatal Four”, the leading causes of construction fatalities, are:

• Falls from heights
• Struck-by incidents
• Electrocutions
• Caught in/between accidents

If you were hurt on a construction site, multiple parties may share liability. A lawyer can help identify all available sources of compensation available to you.

Not all work-related injuries happen in an instant. Prolonged workplace exposure can lead to serious conditions, such as:

• Respiratory disease from dust or chemical exposure
• Occupational hearing loss
• Repetitive motion disorders
• Occupational cancers linked to hazardous substances

These cases can be harder to pursue because the link between the workplace and the illness is not always immediately clear. Workers who develop conditions as a result of their job may still be entitled to benefits, and a lawyer can help build that connection.

There is no single answer. Timelines vary depending on:

• The severity and complexity of your injury
• Whether the claim is accepted or disputed
• How long it takes to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)

MMI is the point at which your condition has stabilized enough to assess your long-term needs—and it is often an important milestone before a settlement can be finalized. Some cases resolve in a few months; others that move through the DIA hearing process can take considerably longer.

Nothing! You should be as open and honest as possible. Withholding details can hurt your case if they surface later.

Things to be upfront about include:

• Prior injuries or pre-existing conditions
• The exact circumstances of the accident
• Any other income or employment

What you should be careful about is what you say to your employer’s insurance carrier. Avoid giving recorded statements before speaking with a lawyer.

Every case is different, but the value of a settlement generally depends on factors such as:

• The severity and permanence of your injury
• Your average weekly wage before the injury
• Your ability to return to work
• Anticipated future medical costs

There is no standard formula. A lawyer can help you evaluate whether a settlement offer reflects the full value of your claim or whether pursuing additional benefits through the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) may make more sense.

Possibly, but it is a nuanced area of the law. Working while receiving benefits may be permitted in some circumstances, but it could:

• Reduce the amount of benefits you receive
• Raise questions about the extent of your incapacity
• Affect how your claim is evaluated going forward

Before taking on any work while your claim is active, speak with our team.

In most cases, workers’ comp benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. However, the picture can get more complicated if you are also receiving Social Security disability benefits at the same time. Depending on your total income, a portion of your Social Security benefits may become taxable.

Generally, yes. Part-time employees in Massachusetts are typically covered by workers’ compensation, as long as they are classified as employees rather than independent contractors. If you are eligible, you may be entitled to:

• Medical benefits for your work-related injury
• Wage replacement benefits, calculated based on your average weekly earnings

Keep in mind that part-time workers typically receive a proportionally smaller weekly benefit than full-time workers.