Employers who fail to carry workers’ compensation insurance expose themselves to serious legal and financial risks. When an uninsured employee is injured, the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund may step in to pay benefits, but it will aggressively seek reimbursement from the noncompliant employer. A recent Massachusetts decision illustrates how…
Employees working remotely for out-of-state companies often face complex jurisdictional hurdles when bringing employment-related claims. An opinion recently issued by a Massachusetts court demonstrates how Massachusetts courts evaluate whether they can exercise personal jurisdiction over a foreign or out-of-state employer accused of violating employment rights. If you work remotely from…
When a workplace injury results from a company’s disregard for worker safety, Massachusetts law provides an avenue for enhanced compensation. Under Massachusetts’s workers’ compensation law, an employee who proves that an employer’s conduct was “serious and willful” may recover double benefits. A recent Massachusetts ruling illustrates how courts analyze the sufficiency…
A denial of Social Security disability benefits can feel devastating, but federal court review may still offer a path forward. A recent decision from a Massachusetts court shows that when an Administrative Law Judge does not adequately explain how medical opinions are weighed, remand is required. If you are appealing…
People injured while working on or near navigable waters may be entitled to disability benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act provides a structured framework to ensure that qualifying employees receive financial assistance after a workplace injury. One critical issue in determining the amount of…
Families who lose a loved one in a workplace accident often feel a natural desire to pursue justice through the courts. Yet, under Massachusetts law, many of these claims are barred by the exclusivity provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act. These provisions are designed to ensure uniform remedies but can…
Employees who experience harassment in the workplace may understandably wish to pursue a variety of legal remedies. However, Massachusetts law provides carefully structured statutory schemes that limit the avenues for relief. A recent decision from a Massachusetts court demonstrates how exclusivity provisions in the Workers’ Compensation Act can block employees…
Victims of sexual harassment or assault in the workplace often feel entitled to pursue every legal avenue against their employer. However, Massachusetts law channels such claims into specific statutory schemes, leaving little room for common law actions. A recent Massachusetts decision highlights how the exclusivity provisions of the Workers’ Compensation…
When an employee is injured at or near their workplace, one of the first questions that arises is whether the injury is covered under the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act. The Act provides a comprehensive and exclusive system of remedies for injuries occurring in the course of employment. A recent decision…
When an injured worker seeks insurance benefits after a serious accident, the expectation is that coverage will provide timely and adequate support for medical care and recovery. Unfortunately, disputes over insurance obligations can create additional hardship for workers already facing devastating injuries. A recent Massachusetts decision highlights how courts review…