Workers' Compensation Attorney in Plymouth, MA
$100+
millions recovered
25+ years
in business
100+
verdicts
Plymouth’s maritime industries, seasonal businesses, construction projects, healthcare facilities, and agricultural operations all involve workplace risks that can lead to serious injuries. A Plymouth workers’ compensation lawyer at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can help you secure the benefits you are owed and identify whether another party may be responsible for your injuries.
Why Choose DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. for Your Plymouth Workers’ Compensation Case?
After a workplace injury, you need more than help filing paperwork. You need a legal team that understands how insurers challenge claims, how to protect your benefits, and when a separate claim may exist outside workers’ compensation.
- Trial-Ready Advocacy. We prepare every case with the expectation that insurers may challenge your claim. Our attorneys build strong evidence, understand litigation strategy, and are prepared to fight for the benefits and compensation you deserve.
- Veteran-Led Discipline and Integrity. Our firm is led by a former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General, bringing precision, preparation, and commitment to every workplace injury claim.
- We Look Beyond Workers’ Compensation. Some workplace injuries involve negligent contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, vessel owners, or drivers. We investigate whether another party may be responsible because those claims can provide compensation that workers’ compensation does not.
Our personal injury attorneys represent injured workers in Plymouth County and throughout the South Shore in workers’ compensation claims, Department of Industrial Accidents proceedings, and related personal injury cases. We know the challenges injured workers face after a serious accident, and we work to protect the benefits and legal options available to you.
Millions Recovered for Clients in Massachusetts
$1,006,330.03
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY represented a client who was a former MBTA trolley operator and a member of the affiliated Union. She alleged in her lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court that the Union had not advocated for her by failing to take her case to arbitration after she was wrongfully terminated by the MBTA. The client was a native of Haiti and alleged that this failure by the Union to advocate on her behalf, was based on her race and national origin. The client had been the subject of egregious discrimination from some members of the Union.
The trial began on October 29, 2018 in Suffolk Superior Court. The jury found in favor of the client and awarded her $490,500.00 in emotional distress damages. Prejudgment interest of $179,771.19 and statutory costs were added to the verdict bringing the total amount of the judgment to $670,556.19. The Judge then allowed an additional award of attorney’s fees in the amount of $150,000.00 plus $8,733.40 in costs. The total amount of the judgment and fees owed to the client after the Superior Court trial was $829,289.59. The Union then appealed the verdict to the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. Greg Connly represented the client during the entire appeal process. On August 4, 2020, a decision came down from the Massachusetts Appeals Court. The Appeals Court upheld the Superior Court judgment. Further, the Appeals Court awarded attorney’s fees in the Appeals Court case in the amount of $27,355.00. Post-judgment interest that accrued during the appeal was also added.
On November 24, 2020, the Union paid to the client the amount of $1,006,330.03.
This case that was handled by Attorney Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY went from one on the verge of dismissal, to one in which there was a recovery in excess of a million dollars. No settlement offer had ever been made by the Union prior to the Superior Court trial.
$4,426,180.35
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY tried a case in September of 2018 in the Worcester Superior Court. The case alleged chiropractic malpractice. The plaintiff/client was an 81-year-old gentleman who had a manipulation to adjust his pelvis done by the defendant/chiropractor. The negligent performance of this manipulation resulted in the breaking of his prosthetic knee. The client reported that he heard an audible popping sound and felt immediate pain at the time of the adjustment. The prosthetic knee had to be surgically repaired fourteen days later. The chiropractor testified that he had no memory of the treatment and he testified that he did not perform the adjustment described by the client. Greg Connly and Barbara Connly of DOLAN CONNLY worked on the case for over seven years. During the trial, Greg Connly put together the facts and expert testimony supporting the client’s position into a coherent credible case for the jury.
On September 14, 2018, the Worcester Superior Court jury came back with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff/client. DOLAN CONNLY’S client was awarded $750,000.00 in past and future medical expenses and $3,000,000.00 in pain and suffering. Including interest, the total judgment was $4,426,180.35. No offer had ever been made by the defense to settle the case. The verdict was appealed by the defense attorney. The case resolved during the appeal process with the 88-year-old client receiving a significant financial settlement, above and beyond any other comparable Massachusetts settlement or verdict for such injuries. Click here to see the actual court docket.
$3,680,187.78
Greg Connly of DOLAN CONNLY tried a case in the Brockton Superior Court in November of 2011. The plaintiff/client was a forty-two-year-old chef working for a third-party food service company at the defendant’s corporate cafeteria. The plaintiff sustained an electric shock when a dishwasher, provided for his use by the defendant, malfunctioned when he pressed the off button on the control panel. The machine was leaking water that came in contact with a live electrical circuit behind the control panel. Greg Connly was able to prove at trial that the defendant corporation was responsible for maintenance of the dishwasher and that it was in a hazardous and unsafe condition. It was discovered that the dishwasher had various mechanical problems after its initial installation and employees of the defendant failed to properly maintain it. The plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury, major depression, panic disorder, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder. Following the electric shock, the plaintiff who had received excellent work reviews over the years, struggled at his job due to the effects of the traumatic brain injury. He never regained his previous high-level functioning in his occupation and was forced to stop working altogether.
On November 29, 2011, the Brockton Superior Court jury came back with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff/client. DOLAN CONNLY’S client was awarded $2,500,000.00 in past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earning capacity. Including interest in the amount of $1,180,187.78, the final award was $3,680,187.78. The last offer by the defendant corporation to settle the case before trial was $50,000.00. The verdict was appealed by the defense, but the judgement was paid in full after the trial transcripts were reviewed by appellate counsel. Click here to see the actual court docket.
$475,000.00
A client from Reading was injured when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on a one-way street. Our client suffered a worsening of a pre-existing cervical disc protrusion that required surgical repair, as well as injuries to his lower back. He received an insurance claim settlement of $475,000.00. This amount represented the total motor vehicle insurance policy limit for the at-fault driver in the amount of $250,000.00, plus $225,000.00 from an umbrella insurance policy.
$750,000.00
A client from Windham, NH sustained a dog bite in the course of his employment as an electrician. The client was working on an electrical project outside a home when he was asked by the homeowner to enter the home to look at another project. The homeowner did not restrain his Weimaraner dog while our client was in the home, despite knowing the dog was not comfortable with unfamiliar people being present in the residence. When our client was in the process of walking from one room to another, the dog unexpectedly bit him in the back of his leg. The client tried to get the dog to unlock its grip on his leg and in the process, he twisted his back. In addition to the dog bite, the client sustained significant injuries to his low back, hip and groin, including radiating pain into his legs and feet. The client underwent treatment including fusion surgery to his back and hip surgery to repair a labral tear. We represented the client in litigation filed against the homeowner. This litigation was settled during mediation for $750,000.00.
What Benefits Can You Receive Under Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation?
If you are covered by Massachusetts workers’ compensation, M.G.L. c. 152 provides several types of benefits depending on your injury, medical needs, and ability to work.
- Medical benefits (§ 30). Workers’ compensation insurers must pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to a work injury, including appointments, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, medical equipment, and mileage to medical visits.
- Temporary total incapacity benefits (§ 34). If your injury prevents you from working, you may receive 60% of your average weekly wage before the injury, subject to Massachusetts minimum and maximum benefit limits. These benefits may be available for up to 156 weeks.
- Temporary partial incapacity benefits (§ 35). If you can return to work but earn less because of medical restrictions, you may receive 60% of the difference between your pre-injury wage and your reduced earning capacity, subject to statutory limits. These benefits may be paid for up to 260 weeks.
- Permanent and total incapacity benefits (§ 34A). If your injury permanently prevents you from returning to gainful employment, you may qualify for ongoing benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to statutory limits.
- Permanent loss of function and disfigurement benefits (§ 36). Certain permanent injuries may qualify for a separate lump-sum payment, including loss of function, loss of a body part, or significant scarring.
- Vocational rehabilitation (§ 30H) and death benefits (§ 31). Workers who cannot return to their previous occupation may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services, while eligible family members may receive benefits after a fatal workplace injury.
Two timing rules are especially important. Wage replacement benefits generally begin after a five-day waiting period, but those first five days may be paid retroactively if the disability continues for 21 days or longer. Weekly benefits are also subject to Massachusetts maximum and minimum rates that are adjusted each October 1.
Workplace Injury Cases We Handle in Plymouth, MA
The type of work you perform can affect both your injury claim and the benefits available to you. We represent Plymouth workers injured in a wide range of industries, including:
- Construction and industrial work. Falls, machinery accidents, electrical injuries, struck-by accidents, and other jobsite injuries can result in serious medical treatment and extended time away from work.
- Maritime and fishing injuries. Workers around Plymouth Harbor may face unique legal issues involving vessels, docks, shipyards, and marine equipment. Some maritime workers may fall outside the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system and require evaluation under federal law.
- Healthcare and hospitality. Hospital employees, nursing home workers, restaurant employees, and seasonal workers may suffer lifting injuries, chemical exposure, burns, slips and falls, and repetitive stress conditions.
- Agricultural and seasonal work. Farm, cranberry bog, and seasonal workers may be covered by workers’ compensation depending on their employment relationship and the circumstances of the injury.
- Drivers and delivery workers injured while performing job duties may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate claim against an at-fault driver under Massachusetts car accident laws.
Some Plymouth workers may also have claims outside the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system. For example, vessel crew members may have rights under federal maritime law, while employees injured by a negligent contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or driver may have a separate third-party claim.
Unlike workers’ compensation benefits, a third-party personal injury claim may allow you to recover damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses that the workers’ compensation system does not cover.
A Plymouth workers’ compensation attorney can help determine which laws apply and whether additional sources of compensation may be available in your case.
We advance all costs.
You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your injuries.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Plymouth, MA
If you are injured at work, the steps you take immediately afterward can affect your Massachusetts workers’ compensation claim and your ability to protect important evidence.
1. Report the Injury to Your Employer
Notify your employer as soon as possible and provide details about how the injury happened. While Massachusetts law allows employees time to report a work injury, prompt written notice helps prevent disputes about whether the injury was job-related. Keep a copy of your report for your records.
2. Get Medical Treatment and Explain That It Happened at Work
Tell your healthcare provider that the injury occurred while you were working and explain exactly how it happened. Early medical records often play an important role in proving the connection between your job and your injury.
3. Confirm That a First Report of Injury Was Filed
If your injury leaves you unable to earn full wages for five or more full or partial calendar days, your employer must file a First Report of Injury with the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) and the workers’ compensation insurer. The days do not have to be consecutive.
4. Preserve Evidence and Identify Witnesses
Take photos of the accident scene, equipment, hazards, or conditions that contributed to your injury before anything changes. Get contact information from anyone who witnessed what happened, especially if another company, contractor, vehicle, or piece of equipment may be involved.
5. Keep Your Records Organized
Save medical records, bills, wage information, insurer correspondence, accident reports, and any documents you are asked to sign. These records can be important when determining the benefits you are entitled to receive.
6. Be Careful During an Independent Medical Examination
The workers’ compensation insurer may require you to attend an independent medical examination with a doctor it selects. Attend the appointment as required, but remember that this physician is evaluating your condition for the insurer and is not your treating doctor.
7. Speak With a Plymouth Workplace Injury Lawyer Before Settling Your Claim
Do not sign a lump-sum settlement agreement, release, or other document affecting your benefits without understanding the consequences. A settlement may permanently resolve your workers’ compensation claim, and you should understand your rights before agreeing to it.
If you have questions about what to do after a workplace injury, a workplace injury attorney in Plymouth at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can help you understand your options and protect your claim.
Workers’ Compensation Claim Process Explained
Massachusetts workers’ compensation claims are handled through the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), not the civil court system. The process usually follows these steps:
- Report the injury and begin the claim process. Notify your employer as soon as possible and make sure the required First Report of Injury is filed when applicable. This starts the workers’ compensation process and creates the documentation needed to support your claim.
- The insurer investigates. The insurer reviews the claim and medical records. It may begin paying benefits, deny the claim, or pay benefits temporarily while it continues investigating.
- Resolve disputes through the DIA. If benefits are denied, reduced, or stopped, you can file a claim with the DIA. The process may include conciliation, a conference before an administrative judge, and a formal hearing if the dispute is not resolved.
For Plymouth workers, the process can become more complicated when medical evidence is disputed, benefits are interrupted, or the injury may involve a third party outside the employer. A Plymouth workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your benefits and evaluate whether another claim may be available.
How a Plymouth Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
A workers’ compensation claim involves more than completing paperwork and waiting for benefits. Insurers may challenge whether your injury is work-related, whether your treatment is necessary, or whether you can return to your job. A workers’ compensation attorney in Plymouth at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. helps protect your claim, respond to disputes, and identify any additional legal options available.
Our legal team can help with:
- Starting your claim and protecting your benefits. We handle the claim process, gather the medical documentation needed to support your benefits, and respond if the insurer attempts to delay, reduce, or stop payments.
- Building the medical evidence. We work to ensure your medical records clearly explain how the injury happened, how it affects your ability to work, and what treatment or restrictions are medically necessary.
- Investigating third-party responsibility. Some workplace injuries involve more than an employer. We investigate whether contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, vessel owners, or other parties may have contributed to your injury.
- Challenging insurer decisions. With experience representing both insurers and injured workers, we understand how insurance companies evaluate claims and how to challenge disputes involving causation, medical treatment, or disability.
- Reviewing settlement offers. A lump-sum settlement may make sense in some cases, but it should be evaluated carefully based on your future medical needs, ability to return to work, ongoing benefits, and any potential third-party claim.
The decisions made early in a workers’ compensation case can affect your financial recovery for years. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Plymouth can help you understand your options and protect the benefits and claims available under Massachusetts law.
Deadlines That Apply to Plymouth Workers’ Compensation Claims
Different deadlines apply depending on the type of claim you are pursuing.
Under M.G.L. c. 152, § 41, a workers’ compensation claim generally must be filed within four years after you become aware that your disability is connected to your employment. You should also notify your employer as soon as practicable after the injury.
A separate third-party claim is subject to a shorter deadline. According to the statute of limitations, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the injury. Claims involving a government entity may have shorter notice requirements under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act, M.G.L. c. 258.
Maritime claims may follow different federal deadlines. Early guidance from a workers’ compensation attorney in Plymouth can help prevent a missed deadline from closing off a potential source of recovery.
Real Client Testimonials
The legal council I received from DOLAN CONNLY starting with the initial office visit to the settlement of my personal injury case was very helpful when I needed it most. They helped me navigate all the options and told me in plain English what to expect. I was a cooperative client and provided them with all the documentation they required and was patient allowing the legal process to unfold all of which they appreciated. Given the extent of damages I incurred from the accident I was pleased with the total compensation I received.
Kathleen Allen has been our attorney for a few properties and we have sold and have been very happy and satisfied with her professional care in these transactions. There is a very easy way about her, as these things can be very stressful. She was always right there for any concerns or questions that we had. I would highly recommend her to my friends and family.
I have closed on two houses with DOLAN CONNLY in the past 10 years. In July 2022, I worked with Kathleen Allen on a closing and was extremely impressed with her professionalism, honestly, and attention to detail. She was the only party to notice a trust was expiring weeks before the planned closing date. Her keen eye resulted in the seller extending the trust and preventing a delay in the closing.
-Sam
Excellent service ! Barry McIsaac was prompt and effective in dealing my claim case. We need more attorneys like him to help hold big companies accountable. I’d recommend Barry and the DOLAN CONNLY firm to anyone.
I worked with Kathleen Allen to purchase my first home in Boston and she was incredible! The seller and I were not working with real estate agents, but Kathleen went above and beyond to make the closing process smooth. I was able to close on time due to her advocating and watching over me. I could not have bought this home without her help. I highly recommend anyone looking for a knowledgeable, quick, and advocating attorney to contact her to purchase a home.
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation Today
If you were injured on the job in Plymouth, you deserve a legal team that will pursue every benefit you are owed. Contact DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Plymouth workers’ compensation lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we answer common questions we hear from injured workers in Plymouth and across Massachusetts.
Can I choose my own doctor for a workers’ compensation injury in Massachusetts?
You may be directed to a specific provider for your initial medical visit after a workplace injury, but you generally have the right to choose your own treating physician afterward, subject to Massachusetts workers’ compensation rules. You should also remember that the insurer may require an independent medical examination with a doctor it selects.
Can I receive workers’ compensation if I was working part-time or seasonally in Plymouth?
Yes. Massachusetts workers’ compensation is not limited to full-time employees. Part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers may be covered if they are employees and the injury arose out of and in the course of their work. However, your employment history may affect how your average weekly wage is calculated.
Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?
An employer cannot fire, discriminate against, or retaliate against you because you filed a workers’ compensation claim or exercised your rights under Massachusetts law. However, a workers’ compensation claim does not prevent an employer from taking legitimate employment actions for unrelated reasons, such as a layoff, position elimination, or documented misconduct. If you believe your job was affected because of your injury or claim, keep records of what happened and speak with a workers’ compensation attorney about your options.
How long does a workers’ compensation claim take in Massachusetts?
The timeline depends on whether the insurer accepts your claim or disputes your injury, medical treatment, or disability. Some claims move quickly, while cases involving hearings, appeals, or complex medical issues may take longer.
What happens if I was injured by a subcontractor, contractor, or another company while working?
You may have more than a workers’ compensation claim. If another company or person contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue a separate third-party claim for damages that workers’ compensation does not cover. The facts of the accident determine whether that option is available.
What does it cost to hire a Plymouth workers’ compensation lawyer?
Workers’ compensation attorney fees in Massachusetts are regulated by M.G.L. c. 152, § 13A, and depending on the stage and outcome of your case, the insurer may be responsible for certain fees. At DOLAN CONNLY, P.C., we will explain how fees apply to your specific situation before moving forward. If your workplace injury also supports a third-party personal injury claim, we handle those cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.