Pay Without Prejudice Period (PWOP): IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER CONTACT A LAWYER BEFORE SIGNING IT! When you report an injury to your employer one of two things can happen: (1) the workers’ compensation insurance company (WC) will either deny benefits or (2) they will pay them. When the WC immediately agrees to pay benefits, its …
Injured worker’s medical marijuana claim ‘goes up in smoke’ at a time when the opioid epidemic continues to make headlines, here in Massachusetts and nationwide. Many doctors have begun prescribing medical marijuana as an alternative to addictive opioids and narcotics for patients suffering with chronic pain. Because of this, marijuana/cannabis/THC pills and edibles are becoming …
Read moreInjured Worker’s Medical Marijuana Claim Goes Up in Smoke
Due to the cataclysmic financial meltdown of the mid-2000s, many seniors find themselves in a position that requires them to keep working long beyond their intended retirement goal. Some had retired already and found themselves forced back into the workforce, many times in a much different capacity than their former careers. It is fair to …
Accidental Disability Retirement ADR vs. Worker’s Compensation Benefits When employees of the State of Massachusetts, a town, city, or county suffer a workplace accident, they are potentially entitled to both state Worker’s Compensation benefits as well as Accidental Disability Retirement benefits (ADR). Although these benefits have elements in common there are significant differences. First, Worker’s …
Medical Evidence Needed For Disability Benefits Claim There are many sources of evidence you will submit to support your claim for disability but by far the most important is the medical evidence. Get Copies Of All Medical Records You must take care to get copies of your records from all the doctors and other …
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Choosing The Right Attorney Is So Important A client came to see me who had been denied workers’ compensation benefits. He consulted another attorney (who actually worked for his union) who told him he did not have a case because he fell at work after he reported being dizzy from low blood pressure. After I …
When Does Mental Illness Mean Disability? Many clients over the years have contacted our office looking for help as a result of mental health issues. If the condition is severe, the person may qualify for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. If the condition occurred as a result of a physical or mental …
Q: Will my Social Security payment be affected if the federal debt ceiling is not raised? A: “Unlike a federal shutdown which has no impact on the payment of Social Security benefits, failure to raise the debt ceiling puts Social Security benefits at risk.”
Many clients wait to hire an attorney or never hire one at all because they do not know how they will afford it. Frequently, clients call in an “emergency” situation and are relieved to learn that we offer free consultations and in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security cases we charge what is called a “contingent …
Read moreHow Can I Afford a Lawyer? Contingency Fees Explained
ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) discontinued activities during the federal government shut down: We have heard that, although the Boston ODAR Judges will report for duty and all hearings already scheduled will go forward, it will be with extreme limited staff. This will result in delays. You may be able to contact the …
Read moreSocial Security Disability Claims During Government Shutdown 2013