Massachusetts Workers Comp Guide
Most of the confusion around workers comp in Massachusetts comes from not knowing what happens next. Here's the actual sequence, start to finish.
How to File a Claim in Massachusetts
The first step is always notifying your employer, in writing if possible, as soon as reasonably practical after the injury.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- Seek medical treatment and inform the provider it's work-related
- Your employer files a First Report of Injury with their insurer
- File your own claim within Massachusetts's deadline — see below
- Cooperate with the insurer's investigation and any requested exams
Filing Deadline and Waiting Period
Massachusetts's general filing deadline is 4 years from the date of injury, and there's a 5-day waiting period before wage-replacement benefits begin. See the full filing deadline guide for tolling rules and what happens if you miss it.
What Happens After You File
Filing doesn't mean the process is over — it means the insurer's clock starts. Keep records of every communication from this point forward.
Do You Need an Attorney in Massachusetts?
Not every Massachusetts claim needs an attorney — straightforward claims with no dispute over compensability often resolve without one. But if your claim is denied, disputed, or involves a permanent injury, the calculus changes. Massachusetts caps attorney contingency fees at Flat dollar amount ($466.72-$6,534.05 depending on case type/complexity), not a percentage of the award.