Workers' Compensation Benefits

Here’s an overview of the different workers’ compensation benefits available:

• Temporary Total Disability
  If an employee sustains an injury and is on the way toward a full recovery, they may be eligible for temporary total disability benefits. Such benefits aim to offer temporary financial assistance during the duration of the employee’s recuperation, covering up to 60% of their standard weekly earnings. This allows the injured employee to focus on their recovery without the added stress of daunting financial obligations.

• Temporary Partial Disability
  Workers who can return to work but face limitations in fulfilling their previous job duties due to an injury may find temporary partial disability benefits beneficial. These benefits cover up to 60% of the difference between the employee’s previous and current wages. This setup helps mitigate the decline in earning capacity, offering financial support as employees advance in their recovery and adapt to their adjusted work abilities.

• Permanent and Total Disability
  In cases of severe injuries leading to enduring disabilities that prevent an employee from participating in any form of work, they may qualify for permanent and total disability benefits. These benefits can reach up to two-thirds of the employee’s typical weekly earnings and constitute a vital component of the workers’ compensation system. They guarantee ongoing financial stability for individuals facing significant challenges. Unlike temporary benefits, permanent total disability benefits do not come with a fixed end date, potentially providing lifelong support.

• Medical Treatment Benefits
  Massachusetts workers’ compensation laws also cover reasonable and necessary medical treatments related to the work injury or illness. Reasonable and necessary medical treatments include hospital visits, medications, surgeries, and any other medical procedures or interventions that are essential for the worker’s recovery. By covering these expenses, the workers’ compensation system guarantees that injured workers can obtain necessary care without being weighed down by medical bills.

• Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
  For workers who are unable to return to their previous job due to their injuries, vocational rehabilitation benefits offer a path forward. These benefits support training and education to help injured workers find new employment that aligns with their physical capabilities post-injury or illness. Rehabilitative benefits acknowledge the importance of assisting workers by adapting to their physical capabilities to remain productive members of the workforce. 

• Disfigurement, Scarring, or Loss of Function Benefits
  Workers who suffer from permanent disfigurement, scarring, or loss of bodily function due to a work-related injury may be eligible for a one-time payment. This payment compensates for the long-term impact of such injuries​​​​.

• Death Benefits
  In the tragic event of a worker’s death due to a work-related injury or illness, their surviving spouse and children may be entitled to death benefits. These benefits include a portion of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage, helping to financially support the family. Workers’ compensation death benefits may also cover burial expenses, alleviating some of the immediate financial pressures faced by the family following a loved one’s death.