Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Massachusetts workers' comp attorneys who handle claims before the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA).

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Matched with a Massachusetts attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Massachusetts workers' compensation case review

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How we match your Massachusetts workers' compensation case

When you submit a Massachusetts workers' compensation matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A workers' compensation matter needs someone who handles workers' compensation work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Massachusetts law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Massachusetts who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a workers' compensation claim in Massachusetts

Day 0
You’re hurt at work.
Report it to your employer in writing and get medical care. In Massachusetts, the report and the first medical visit are the two things every comp claim is built on.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Massachusetts workers' compensation attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
The claim is filed and documented.
Incident report, medical records, wage history, and the insurer’s acceptance or denial. Your attorney handles the forms and the follow-ups.
Months 1–6
Benefits, and pushback.
Wage-loss and medical benefits should start; insurers routinely dispute treatment or ratings. Your attorney contests denials and independent medical exams.
Before the 4-year deadline
Hearing or petition if needed.
Massachusetts gives 4 years from the date it happened. Filing keeps your leverage; missing it ends the claim.
Resolution
Award or settlement.
You pay nothing along the way. The fee — typically 20% — comes only out of what’s recovered. If nothing is recovered, you owe nothing.

Governing Statute: Workers' Comp Act
Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act, M.G.L. Ch. 152
Agency: DIA
Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA)
Notice of Injury: As soon
As soon as practicable (M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 41)
Statute of Limitations: 4 years
4 years from injury or 4 years from worker's reasonable knowledge it was work-related (M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 41)
Attorney Fees: Insurer pays
Insurer pays employee's fees on prevailing claims (M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 13A); otherwise DIA-approved
Typical attorney fee: 20%
Insurer-paid on prevailing claims (otherwise DIA-approved, ~20%)

Massachusetts's Workers' Compensation Act (M.G.L. Ch. 152) is administered by the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). Massachusetts pays TTD at 60% of AWW under § 34 — lower than the 66 2/3% used in most states — but partial-incapacity benefits under § 35 (60% of the difference) and permanent-and-total benefits under § 34A (66 2/3% of AWW for life) often make total recovery substantial. The system is employee-choice on doctors under § 30. A defining feature: when the insurer denies a claim and the worker prevails, the insurer typically pays the worker's attorney fees under § 13A — meaning workers often recover net benefits without paying out of pocket. Greater Boston's healthcare, biotech, university, and construction sectors generate steady serious claims. An experienced Massachusetts attorney secures the right disability classification, navigates the impartial-examiner system under § 11A, and preserves third-party claims.

Exhibit B

When to call a workers' compensation attorney in Massachusetts

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Workers' Compensation cases we take in Massachusetts

Which one is closest to yours?

Construction site injuries

Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester construction workers face falls, scaffolding, and equipment incidents. Big Dig–era legacy and Seaport boom generate steady third-party claims against general contractors.

Sound like yours? A Massachusetts attorney reviews it free — no fee unless they win.

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Exhibit D

How much do Massachusetts workers' compensation attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Massachusetts · Workers' Compensation

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 20%− $20,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$80,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Massachusetts workers' compensation attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Massachusetts is unusual: under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 13A, the insurer typically pays the employee's attorney fees when the worker prevails — so workers often recover net benefits without paying fees out of pocket. Where fees are charged to the worker, they're DIA-approved, typically ~20%. Third-party tort claims (motor vehicle, product liability, contractor) run outside the comp system on standard 33%–40% personal-injury contingency.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Massachusetts workers' compensation compensation can include

A Massachusetts workers' compensation recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Medical Benefits

Reasonable and necessary medical treatment under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 30, including future medical when needed for the work injury.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Massachusetts workers' compensation questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Massachusetts attorney will review it for free.

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Notice to the employer as soon as practicable, and the formal claim must be filed within 4 years of injury or 4 years from the worker's reasonable knowledge that the condition was work-related under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 41. Massachusetts has one of the longer SOLs in the country.

You do. Massachusetts is an employee-choice state under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 30 — workers pick their own treating physician. The insurer can require an IME but cannot direct care.

Massachusetts is unusual: under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 13A, the insurer pays the employee's attorney fees on most prevailing claims — workers often recover net benefits without paying fees out of pocket. Otherwise fees are DIA-approved. Third-party tort claims run on standard 33%–40% contingency.

Section 11A requires a Board-appointed impartial physician to examine the worker once a claim is in DIA litigation. That physician's report is the only medical evidence admissible at the hearing (subject to exceptions), so the impartial exam often decides the case.

Generally no — exclusive remedy under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 24. Narrow exceptions for intentional acts. Third-party claims against non-employers (contractors, equipment makers, negligent drivers) are not barred.

Medical treatment, TTD at 60% of AWW (§ 34), partial incapacity at 60% of wage difference (§ 35), permanent and total disability at 66 2/3% of AWW for life (§ 34A), specific-loss benefits (§ 36), and death benefits (§ 31).

Massachusetts recognizes a retaliation claim under M.G.L. Ch. 152 § 75B for terminating an employee for filing a comp claim. Damages outside comp can include back pay and emotional distress.

Workers' Compensation attorneys by city in Massachusetts

Same Massachusetts rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in Massachusetts

All Massachusetts practice areas →

Animal Incident attorneysMassachusetts holds dog owners strictly liable — the owner pays for an unprovoked bite even if it’s the dog’s first offense.

Business Dispute attorneysMA’s 2018 non-compete reform added 10-day notice, "garden leave" pay, and 12-month limits — non-competes are no longer easy to enforce.

Car Accident attorneysMA is a no-fault auto state with a $2,000 medical-bill threshold — you can sue for pain and suffering only if your reasonable medical expenses exceed that amount.

Consumer Protection attorneysChapter 93A, Massachusetts’ consumer protection law, is one of the country’s strongest — willful violations get doubled or tripled damages plus attorney fees, and a 30-day demand letter is required first.

Criminal Defense attorneysMA’s 2018 criminal justice reform ended mandatory minimums for many drug offenses and adjusted parole eligibility — counsel knows what changed.

Defective Product attorneysMA treats breach of warranty as the primary products-liability theory — strict liability as such isn’t recognized, but warranty law provides parallel protection.

Employment attorneysThe state discrimination commission (MCAD) handles Massachusetts employment-discrimination charges — and the 300-day filing window plus right-to-sue letter framework parallels federal practice.

Family Law attorneysMA is an equitable-distribution state — and the 2011 alimony reform set duration limits, ending the era of indefinite alimony.

Immigration attorneysMA has immigration court in Boston — and a 2022 state law allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses.

Lemon Law attorneysThe MA Lemon Law covers new and used vehicles within 1 year/15,000 miles — and the manufacturer pays your attorney fees if you win.

Medical Malpractice attorneysMA med-mal requires a Medical Tribunal screening before your case proceeds — and there’s a $500K cap on non-economic damages, with exceptions for substantial impairment.

Personal Injury attorneysA three-year filing deadline and a 51% fault bar frame every MA injury case — no-fault auto adds its own threshold rules.

Slip and Fall attorneysMA premises liability changed course in 2010 — landowners now have a duty to address snow and ice hazards, natural or not.

Social Security Disability attorneysMA disability hearing offices in Boston, Lawrence, and Worcester process moderate volumes — and First Circuit federal precedent is comparatively favorable on review.

Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Attorneys

How we match your Massachusetts workers' compensation case

Case type

Size and complexity

Jurisdiction and licensing

Capacity and fit

What happens with a workers' compensation claim in Massachusetts

You’re hurt at work.

Tell us what happened.

The claim is filed and documented.

Benefits, and pushback.

Hearing or petition if needed.

Award or settlement.

When to call a workers' compensation attorney in Massachusetts

Workers' Compensation cases we take in Massachusetts

Construction site injuries

Healthcare worker injuries

Biotech and laboratory injuries

Universities and research staff injuries

Manufacturing injuries

Trucking and transportation injuries

Back and spine injuries

Repetitive stress and cumulative trauma

Slip-and-fall on the job

Workplace violence and assault injuries

Psychological / PTSD injuries

Third-party injury claims

How much do Massachusetts workers' compensation attorneys cost?

What your Massachusetts workers' compensation compensation can include

Medical Benefits

Temporary Total Incapacity (§ 34)

Partial Incapacity (§ 35)

Permanent and Total Incapacity (§ 34A)

Specific Loss / Disfigurement (§ 36)

Death Benefits (§ 31)

Massachusetts workers' compensation questions, answered

Workers' Compensation attorneys by city in Massachusetts

Other case types in Massachusetts

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