Sustaining an injury at work can have a devastating effect on anyone’s life as it limits one’s ability to work and provide for themselves and their family. Understanding the numerous benefits available can significantly ease the burden for employees dealing with workplace injuries in Massachusetts.
Medical care
An employee suffering from a work-related injury or illness is entitled to adequate and reasonable medical care, prescription reimbursements and travel compensation for their visits to and from a medical facility. Workers’ compensation aims to ensure that the injured worker receives the appropriate care they need to recover and return to work without the financial strain of medical bills.
Temporary total incapacity benefits
When an injury or illness hinders a worker’s capability to perform any work for six or more calendar days, whether full or partial, they can be eligible for total incapacity benefits. The days do not have to be consecutive to qualify for these benefits. In Massachusetts, an injured employee can receive 60 percent of their gross average weekly wage, with the maximum established under the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance’s average weekly wage at the time of the injury.
Partial incapacity benefits
Not all injuries completely sideline workers, but if they lose a part of their earning capacity because of the injury, they may qualify for partial incapacity benefits. For example, suppose a worker needs to change jobs, move to a position with a lower pay rate, or work shorter hours to accommodate their injury. In that case, they may be qualified for partial incapacity benefits.
A wide array of workers’ compensation benefits is available in Massachusetts, and understanding these is crucial for any employee suffering from a work-related injury or illness. Reaching out to an experienced employment law attorney can significantly help employees ensure they receive the full extent of benefits available to them.
