If you’re injured or get sick while at work, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. According to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 152, Sec. 25A, your employer is required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to all its employees. In other words, your employer must “pay compensation for lost wages after the first five calendar days of full or partial disability, and in some cases provide retraining for employees who qualify.” (Mass.gov, “Injured Workers Guide to Workers’ Compensation.”)

If you’ve already submitted your complete claim and it’s been approved, what happens next?

1. Your insurer will send you an Insurer’s Notification of Payment (Form 103). This official Massachusetts state document is mandatory and maintains transparency between the state, your employer, and yourself. Your Form 103 will include:

• Your name, claim number, and the date your claim was submitted.
• Your insurer’s decision of approval.
• The insurer’s contact information in case you have questions or require further information.

2. Your benefits start. Within three to four weeks of your illness or injury, you should start receiving compensation for lost wages minus the first five full or partial days of incapacity.

3. Your first 180 days are considered your “Pay-Without-Prejudice” period. This means that during this period, the insurer has not yet claimed full liability for your illness or injury. Your benefits may still be reviewed, modified, or stopped during this time.

4. After the “Pay-Without-Prejudice” period, you’ll continue to receive benefits. Benefits include:

• Medical expenses for your workers’ compensation-related injury or illness, including medication, surgery, and physical therapy.
• Full or partial loss of wages.
• Supplemental disability benefits.
• Retraining or education costs if you can only return to work in a different role.

At this point, the insurer will need your or a judge’s permission to modify or stop payments.

5. What if you don’t receive your benefits? Contact a workers’ comp lawyer. These attorneys specialize in injuries and illnesses caused by or within your workplace rather than a general illness or injury. For example, if you’re hit by a car in your neighborhood over the weekend, a general personal injury attorney can help you. But if you lose some or all of your hearing due to excessive noise at work, you’ll need a workers’ comp lawyer. That’s where Lipsey & Clifford Attorneys at Law comes in.

We specialize in protecting workers and making sure they receive the full range of compensation and benefits to which they’re entitled. After all, you’ve already been hurt at work. Why settle for anything less than the full amount you deserve?

Contact us today at 1-800-466-3130 or via email to schedule a free consultation about your rights as an injured or ill worker.