Workers' Compensation Lawyer
If you were injured at work, you may be facing time off the job, costly medical treatment, and pressure from insurers to move quickly. When your income and health are on the line, you deserve trusted advocacy from a proven team of workers’ compensation lawyers.
Harding Mazzotti, LLP, is here to help you understand your rights and pursue the full amount of benefits you’re entitled to. We’ve been fighting for injured workers throughout New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts for decades, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
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On This Page
- Why Choose Us After a Work-Related Injury?
- What Is Workers’ Compensation?
- What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation?
- Can You File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Injury?
- Benefits of Having Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Law Firm on Your Side
- State-Specific Workers’ Compensation Resources
- Start Moving Forward With Help From Our Trusted Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Read Transcript
Work injuries can happen in an instant. Don’t let your recovery be delayed. Facing medical bills and lost wages due to a workplace accident can be overwhelming. At Harding Mazzotti, we have a dedicated team of Workers’ Compensation attorneys. We understand the complexities of Workers’ Compensation laws and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to. You focus on healing, let us help you get back to work with peace of mind. Call Harding Mazzotti today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us After a Work-Related Injury?
We combine the strength of a large firm with the focused attention you deserve after a workplace injury. With more than 40 attorneys and 120 support staff, our firm has the resources to take on complex workers’ compensation claims and deliver meaningful results.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys have been fighting for injured people in the Northeast for more than 30 years. In that time, we’ve grown to be one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in the region. Our commitment to safety in the communities we serve extends beyond the legal realm into community initiatives.
We’re willing to go the distance to protect injured workers’ rights, which has earned us the title of The Heavy Hitters®. Whether you turn to us immediately after an injury or after your claim is denied, our team is prepared to step in and take decisive action on your behalf. Our aggressive legal advocacy has allowed us to recover significant results for our clients, including two recent workers’ comp settlements worth $625,000 and $605,000.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees who suffer an illness or injury as a result of their job duties. Most employers are required to carry this coverage for their employees.
You do not need to prove that your employer is at fault to recover workers’ comp benefits. You may even qualify for benefits if you’re partially at fault for your own work-related injury. In exchange for this coverage, you generally cannot sue your employer for negligence related to the injury or illness.
Types of Injuries Workers’ Comp May Cover
A wide range of work-related injuries and illnesses qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These can result from a single accident on the job or develop over time due to your work duties. Common examples include:
- Slip and fall injuries on wet floors or uneven surfaces
- Lifting injuries from overexertion while lifting heavy objects
- Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis
- Construction injuries involving falls from heights or falling objects
- Machinery accident injuries, such as lacerations or amputations
- Back injuries, including herniated discs, caused by physically demanding job duties
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, from high-impact accidents
- Burns or respiratory issues from chemical exposure
- Chronic occupational illnesses, such as cancer or lung disease linked to exposure to toxic substances at work
Common Reasons for Workers’ Comp Denials
Workers’ compensation denials are common. If your claim was denied, your case isn’t necessarily over. You have the right to challenge the decision, and that begins with understanding the reason behind it.
One of the most common issues is late reporting. If the insurer claims you didn’t report the injury to your employer according to your state’s requirements, it may deny your claim regardless of how strong it is otherwise.
In other cases, your employer may argue that your injury is not related to your work duties. It may claim it happened outside of work, during your commute, or as a result of a preexisting condition.
The insurance company may also require you to attend an independent medical exam. If that doctor disagrees with your treating physician about the cause or severity of your injury, the insurer may use that opinion to justify denying your claim.
What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ comp is designed to ease the financial burden of a workplace injury or illness. While the exact benefits can vary by state, most systems offer similar types of workers’ compensation coverage, including:
- Coverage for all necessary medical treatment related to the injury, such as doctor’s visits, hospital care, surgery, medications, and rehabilitation
- Wage replacement benefits to cover lost income if you cannot work while you recover
- Permanent disability benefits to reflect the lasting limitations you experience due to your injuries
- Vocational rehabilitation, which provides support for retraining or job placement if you can still work but cannot return to your previous job
- Mileage reimbursement for the cost of traveling to medical appointments related to your injury
- Death benefits, such as financial support and coverage for funeral expenses, for surviving family members after a worker dies of a job-related injury or illness
When you hire us to handle your case, our workers’ compensation attorneys will identify what types of benefits you’re entitled to and pursue the maximum amount available under the law.
Do you have a case? Get your free consultation now.
You can call us at 1-800-LAW1010 or fill out a form. Even if you’re unsure if you have a case, our team is here to help you discuss your legal options at no charge.
Can You File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Injury?
In most cases, workers’ compensation prevents you from suing your employer, even if its negligence caused your injury. This is part of the tradeoff built into the system. However, you may still have the right to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit if someone other than your employer contributed to your injury.
This option can apply in construction accidents involving outside contractors or property owners. It may also apply if defective equipment caused your injuries. You may also have a third-party liability claim after a motor vehicle crash that occurred while you were working.
Our firm handles both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits. When you turn to us for help, we’ll investigate the circumstances of your injuries and determine what type of legal action you’re eligible to take. Our attorneys will then help you pursue the maximum compensation from all available sources.
Benefits of Having Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Law Firm on Your Side
The insurance carrier wants to pay as little as possible on your workers’ comp claim, and it may unfairly delay or deny your claim to limit what it owes. It may argue that your injury isn’t work-related or use an independent medical exam to question the severity of your condition. At the same time, you may face pressure to return to work before you’ve achieved maximum recovery.
Our team can help you address any challenges that arise in your claim and protect your benefits from the insurer’s tactics. We can take charge of the claims process from the very start, calculating the full value of your benefits, helping you file your claim correctly, gathering strong medical evidence, and responding to the insurance carrier’s requests. If the insurer denies your claim, we’ll handle the appeals process and represent you at hearings.
We can also help you determine if you’re eligible to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit and coordinate that separate legal action alongside your workers’ comp claim. Our goal is to ease your stress during this difficult time and pursue every dollar you’re entitled to under the law.
State-Specific Workers’ Compensation Resources
Our firm represents injured workers in New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The workers’ compensation processes vary among these three states, so we’ve compiled a list of resources and information to help you make sense of your state’s system.
New York Workers’ Compensation Resources
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board oversees the state’s workers’ comp system. After a workplace injury, you must report the incident to your employer within 30 days and file a claim with the Board within 2 years.
If the insurance company denies your claim, it will notify the Board. The Board will then schedule a hearing before a judge. If the judge denies your claim, you have 30 days to appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Board, and a panel of three Board members will decide how to move forward. If the Board members don’t agree on a decision, you may request the full Board to review your claim.
New York’s workers’ compensation system allows you to recover lost wage benefits if your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days. If your disability lasts more than 14 days, the insurer may pay your wage replacement benefits from your first missed day of work. The amount you receive depends on your average weekly wage for the previous year before your injury and the severity of your disability.
Our New York Workers’ Compensation Law Offices & Appointment Centers
We have law offices and appointment centers across New York State, providing convenient access to our legal team no matter where you’re located:
Office Location
1 Wall Street
Albany, NY 12205
Office Location
173 Margaret Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Office Location
40A Grove Street, Suite 220
Pittsford, New York 14534
Office Location
5046 Main Street
Manchester Center, VT 05255
Office Location
47 Maple Street 104 a
Burlington, VT 0540
Office Location
170 Main St,
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Office Location
670 Franklin St, 2nd Floor,
Schenectady, NY 12305
Office Location
286 Genesee St,
Utica, NY 13502
Vermont Workers’ Compensation Resources
If you are injured at work in Vermont, you must notify your employer immediately or as soon as you become aware of the injury. Your employer must report the injury to the state within 72 hours if you require medical care or time away from work. If your employer fails to do so, you can file a claim yourself using a Form 5.
After it receives the claim, the insurance company has 21 days to investigate and decide whether to accept it. If there’s a dispute, both sides may try to resolve the disagreement in an informal conference. A specialist with the Vermont Department of Labor will review the case and recommend a resolution. If the parties cannot resolve the dispute informally, the case may proceed to a formal hearing.
If your work injury prevents you from working, your temporary total disability benefits may be equal to about two-thirds of your usual wage. If you return to part-time work, you may qualify for partial disability benefits, which cover two-thirds of the difference between your full and part-time pay.
Our Vermont Workers’ Compensation Law Offices
We’re here to help from our two Vermont office locations:
Office Location
47 Maple Street 104 a
Burlington, VT 0540
Office Location
5046 Main St,
Manchester Center, VT 05255
Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Resources
Massachusetts law requires you to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer must then file a First Report of Injury if you miss five or more days of work. The insurance company then has 14 days to investigate and decide whether to approve or deny your claim.
If the insurer denies or disputes your claim, the case moves into a structured appeals process through the Department of Industrial Accidents. This begins with a conciliation to try to reach an agreement, followed by a conference before a judge if needed. You can appeal the conference decision within 14 days, which may lead to a formal hearing with testimony and evidence.
If you are unable to work, Temporary Total Disability benefits typically pay about 60% of your average weekly wage for up to 3 years, subject to state limits. If you return to work with reduced earnings, Temporary Partial Disability benefits may cover a portion of the difference. Permanent Total Disability benefits may provide long-term compensation at about two-thirds of your wage if you cannot return to any work.
Our Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law Offices
With an office located in the heart of Tewksbury, our team is ready to support you after a workplace injury in Massachusetts:
Office Location
170 Main St,
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Start Moving Forward With Help From Our Trusted Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
You’re not alone after a workplace injury. Harding Mazzotti, LLP, is here to help you understand your rights and navigate your next steps with confidence.
Complete our online contact form or call 800-529-1010 to start moving forward with a free consultation. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to listen to your story and explain your options.
injured in an accident?
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