In Massachusetts, the workers’ compensation system is often the only avenue for injured workers to obtain benefits following a job-related injury. However, when injuries result from the negligence of another contractor or party on a shared worksite, injured workers may seek damages through third-party tort claims. A recent decision by…
In Massachusetts, emotional and psychological injuries are compensable under workers’ compensation law when they arise from identifiable workplace events or conditions. However, when such injuries stem from internal conflicts, professional feedback, or typical employment actions, the law imposes limits. A recent decision by the Massachusetts Reviewing Board illustrates the strict…
Massachusetts workers’ compensation law generally provides the exclusive remedy for employees injured in the course of employment. However, certain tort claims may fall outside that statutory bar if they arise from intentional and malicious conduct rather than mere workplace injury or negligence. A recent decision from a Massachusetts Court clarifies…
In Massachusetts, public employees seeking accidental disability retirement benefits must prove that their disability is the natural and proximate result of a workplace injury. This standard requires clear, persuasive medical evidence, typically from a regional medical panel. A recent decision by a Massachusetts highlights the challenges claimants face when panel…
When an employee is injured at work, the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act often provides the exclusive remedy for recovery, even when the injury occurs at a third-party job site through a staffing agency. For example, a recent Massachusetts case illustrates how temporary workers may be barred from filing separate personal…
In workers’ compensation cases, a claimant must establish that a workplace injury is the predominant cause of their disability. Disputes over causation often hinge on medical evidence and the credibility of expert testimony. A recent decision by a Massachusetts court highlights the legal standards that apply when a worker alleges…
Injured public employees in Massachusetts may be eligible for both workers’ compensation benefits and public disability retirement pensions. However, the interaction between these systems is complex, and a favorable outcome in one does not guarantee success in the other. A recent decision from a Massachusetts court emphasizes that public employees…
When an employee contracts an infectious disease during a public health emergency, determining whether the harm is compensable under the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act can be complicated. A recent decision by a Massachusetts court clarifies that contracting COVID-19 may constitute a compensable injury when the nature of the worker’s job…
When an employee suffers emotional distress or confronts conflict with a supervisor following a workplace injury, it may seem reasonable to pursue a tort claim against the employer or individual actors. However, Massachusetts law provides strong protections for employers and supervisors under both federal labor law and the Workers’ Compensation…
Massachusetts employees who suffer workplace injuries may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, but that protection does not always extend to separate claims of handicap discrimination or retaliation under the state’s anti-discrimination law. A recent decision from a Massachusetts court illustrates how employees who are unable to perform essential job…