What Are the Benefits of Workers Compensation in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts workers who are injured on the job are eligible for workers' compensation benefits under state law. Benefits include payment of medical expenses, lost wages and vocational rehabilitation services. Employees who die as a result of their injuries will get a burial benefit and their survivors will receive benefits. Injured workers will be dealing with their employer's workers' compensation insurance company rather than the state itself.
Other People Are Reading
-
Wage Loss Benefits
-
Injured workers who miss at least five days of work are eligible for time loss compensation beginning on the sixth day, says the Division of Industrial Accidents, which published the "Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Guide For Injured Workers." The 10-page guide is available on-line (see "Resources"). The injured worker will only be paid for the first five days if he is off work at least 21 days. The Division of Industrial Accidents, a part of the Labor and Workforce Development Department, administers the state's workers' compensation laws. State law sets wage replacement at 60 percent of the worker's average weekly wage for the 52 weeks preceding the accident. Wage benefits will be paid up to 156 weeks.
Medical Benefits
-
Workers whose claims are allowed will have their medical expenses paid. The employer is allowed to choose the first doctor or hospital he receives treatment at, but after that, state law permits injured workers to choose their own medical providers. Injured workers are entitled to prescription coverage and mileage reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
-
Death Benefits
-
When an injured worker dies from a work-related accident or illness, the insurance company will pay up to $4,000 in burial expenses (as of February 2011). The surviving spouse and dependent children are entitled to survivors' benefits. Children must be under 18 years old, be full-time students or be too disabled to work. The surviving spouse receives benefits of two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage at the time of the injury or illness. State law says spousal benefits end if the spouse remarries, though children's benefits will continue until the child turns 18.
Other Benefits
-
Injured workers who are unable to return to the job they were injured at may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation payments to prepare them for new jobs. The state guide says benefits can be discontinued if an injured worker does not attend a meeting to determine eligibility for rehabilitation services. Workers who are permanently disabled as a result of an accident or illness may be eligible for a lump-sum payment. The guide says this payment is dependent upon the body part injured and the severity of the injury.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Man's hand in plaster, making optimistic sign image by GeoM from Fotolia.com
