Workers' Compensation Attorney in Boston, MA
$100+
millions recovered
25+ years
in business
100+
verdicts
A workplace injury can stop your income the same week it stops your ability to work. Insurers dispute how badly you are hurt, how long you need to stay out, and whether the injury happened at work at all. A Boston workers’ compensation lawyer at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can help you secure every benefit you are owed and find any claim that goes beyond them.
Why Choose DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. for Your Workers’ Compensation Case?
Massachusetts workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong. What you do have to prove is that the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment, that you are disabled, and that the treatment you need is reasonable and necessary. Insurers contest all three, and they do it with medical examiners of their own choosing.
Many injured workers also have a second claim they never learn about. When someone other than your employer contributed to cause the injury, that claim is worth far more than workers’ compensation benefits alone, because it includes damages the workers’ comp system does not pay.
This is why injured workers in Boston place their trust in the personal injury lawyers at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C.:
- Veteran-Led Discipline & Integrity. Our firm is led by a former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General, ensuring military-grade precision, unwavering ethics, and steadfast advocacy in every workplace injury claim.
- We Look Past the Comp Claim. From the first meeting, we investigate whether a contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or motorist shares responsibility for your injury. Those third-party claims are where the real recovery can be found.
- Personalized, One-on-One Advocacy. You work directly with your workers’ compensation attorney, so you always know where your claim stands and what happens next.
At DOLAN CONNLY, P.C., we understand that a workplace injury threatens your health, your income, and your standing at work all at once. Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
Our Verdicts and Settlements
$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?
Massachusetts workers’ compensation is governed by M.G.L. c. 152 and administered by the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA). The benefits available depend on the severity of your injury, your ability to work, and how your condition affects your earning capacity.
- Medical Benefits (§ 30). The insurer must pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, durable medical equipment, and mileage to medical appointments. There is generally no fixed dollar cap, but treatment must remain reasonable, necessary, and related to the work injury.
- Temporary Total Incapacity (§ 34). If you cannot work because of your injury, you may receive 60% of your average weekly wage before the injury, subject to Massachusetts’ minimum and maximum compensation rates. These benefits can be paid for up to 156 weeks.
- Temporary Partial Incapacity (§ 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 average weekly wage and your reduced earning capacity. These benefits are capped at 75% of the amount you would receive under § 34 and can be paid for up to 260 weeks.
- Permanent and Total Incapacity (§ 34A). If your injury permanently prevents you from returning to gainful employment, you may receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to the applicable maximum and minimum compensation rates. These benefits continue for as long as the permanent and total incapacity remains.
- Permanent Loss of Function and Disfigurement (§ 36). A separate lump-sum payment may be available for certain permanent injuries, including loss of function, loss of a body part, or significant scarring and disfigurement. This benefit is separate from weekly incapacity benefits.
- Vocational Rehabilitation (§ 30H). Eligible workers who cannot return to their previous occupation may receive vocational rehabilitation services, including retraining and job placement assistance.
- Death Benefits (§ 31). When a work injury results in death, eligible surviving spouses and dependent children may receive weekly benefits, along with payment for reasonable burial expenses.
Two limits catch many injured workers off guard.
First, wage replacement benefits generally begin only after a five-day waiting period. If your disability continues for 21 days or longer, you can receive payment for those initial five days as well.
Second, weekly benefits are subject to statewide maximum and minimum rates that are adjusted each October 1. For injuries on or after October 1, 2025, the maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,922.48 and the minimum is $384.50. The applicable rate is generally determined by your date of injury, not the date your checks begin.
Types of Workplace Injury Cases We Handle at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C.
Workplace injuries can take many forms, and the challenges involved often depend on how the injury happened and how it affects your ability to work. A sudden accident may lead to disputes over the severity of your injuries or the treatment you need, while repetitive injuries, occupational illnesses, or aggravated conditions often involve questions about whether work caused or worsened the condition. Some accidents involving vehicles, defective equipment, or another company’s negligence may also require investigating a potential third-party claim.
We represent injured workers across Boston and throughout Massachusetts in cases involving:
- Construction site accidents and falls from heights
- Machinery injuries
- Electrocutions, arc-flash injuries, and burns
- Loading dock and forklift accidents
- Motor vehicle collisions while working
- Repetitive stress and cumulative trauma injuries
- Back, neck, and spinal disc injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Slips, trips, and falls on unsafe premises
- Toxic and chemical exposure
- Occupational illness and hearing loss
- Fatal workplace accidents and wrongful death claims
Massachusetts workers’ compensation is not limited to certain jobs or accident types. If an injury arises out of and in the course of your employment, you may have a claim, including injuries that develop over time, worsen a pre-existing condition, or occur even if you believe you were partly responsible.
A Boston workplace injury lawyer can help you understand whether your injury qualifies for benefits and whether you may have additional options beyond workers’ compensation.
We advance all costs.
You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your injuries.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Boston, 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 Boston 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 Boston at DOLAN CONNLY, P.C. can help you understand your options and protect your claim.
How the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Claim Process Works
Massachusetts workers’ compensation claims are handled through the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), which has its own process for resolving disputes. While these claims do not begin in civil court, disputed cases may eventually involve formal hearings and appeals.
1. The Insurer Reviews the Claim
After receiving the First Report of Injury, the insurer generally has 14 days to begin paying benefits or notify the employee that it disputes the claim. It may begin paying benefits, deny the claim, or pay benefits “without prejudice” for a limited period while it continues its investigation.
2. Filing a Claim With the DIA
If benefits are denied, reduced, or stopped, the injured employee can file a claim with the DIA. Medical records, wage information, and other supporting evidence are typically needed to establish entitlement to benefits.
3. Conciliation
The first step in resolving a dispute is usually conciliation, an informal meeting with a DIA conciliator, the insurer, and the parties’ representatives. Many disputes are resolved at this stage.
4. Conference Before an Administrative Judge
If the dispute is not resolved, the case moves to a conference before a DIA administrative judge. The judge reviews the evidence and issues an order awarding or denying benefits. Either side may appeal the decision.
5. Formal Hearing
If the dispute continues, the case proceeds to a formal hearing. This stage involves testimony, evidence, and cross-examination. The administrative judge then issues a written decision.
6. Reviewing Board and Further Appeals
A party that disagrees with the hearing decision may appeal to the DIA Reviewing Board. Further appeals may be taken to the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
Separately, if your workplace injury may have been caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim. These claims follow a separate court process, and handling both matters together is important to protect your overall recovery.
How Will a Boston Workers’ Compensation Attorney Handle Your Case?
A Boston workplace injury claim involves more than filling out forms and waiting for benefits. We help injured workers navigate the Massachusetts workers’ compensation system, protect their rights when insurers dispute claims, and identify whether additional options, such as a third-party injury claim, may be available. Our legal team can help with:
- Getting benefits started and protecting your claim: We handle the claim process, gather supporting medical evidence, and respond when an insurer challenges, reduces, or stops your benefits.
- Building the medical record: We work to ensure your medical records clearly document how the injury happened, how it affects your ability to work, and the treatment and restrictions you need.
- Investigating third-party liability: Some workplace injuries involve negligent contractors, property owners, vehicle operators, or equipment manufacturers. We investigate these potential claims and work to preserve important evidence.
- Challenging insurance company decisions: Insurers may dispute the cause of an injury, the need for treatment, or the extent of your disability. With experience representing both insurers and injured workers, we understand how these disputes are evaluated and how to respond effectively.
- Evaluating lump-sum settlements: A settlement may be appropriate in some cases, but it should be carefully reviewed based on your future medical needs, earning capacity, ongoing benefits, and any related third-party claims.
The decisions you make during a workers’ compensation case can affect your benefits long after the initial injury. A Boston workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and determine the best path forward under Massachusetts law.
Deadlines That Apply to Boston Workers’ Compensation Claims
Different deadlines apply depending on whether you are seeking workers’ compensation benefits or pursuing a separate third-party claim.
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 related to your employment. You should also notify your employer as soon as practicable after the injury.
If another person or company contributed to your injury, a third-party claim may have a separate deadline. Under M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the injury. Claims involving a government entity, such as a city, town, or state agency, may have additional notice requirements and earlier deadlines under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act.
Missing a deadline can permanently eliminate certain claims, including compensation for pain and suffering in a third-party lawsuit. Acting early helps protect all available options.
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 Consultation Today
If you have been injured on the job in Boston, MA, you deserve a legal team that will fight for every benefit you are owed and look hard for the claims that go beyond them. Our attorneys are committed to helping you secure the compensation you need to recover and move forward. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we answer additional questions we hear from the clients we represent in Boston and across Massachusetts.
Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Boston?
No. Massachusetts law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act. If your employer cuts your hours, changes your conditions at work, or takes other negative action after you report an injury, document what happened and speak with a Boston workers’ compensation lawyer about your options.
Do I have to see the doctor my employer or workers’ compensation insurer chooses?
You may be directed to a specific provider for your initial medical visit after a workplace injury. After that, you generally may choose your own treating physician, subject to applicable Massachusetts workers’ compensation rules. The insurance company may also require you to attend an independent medical examination with a doctor it selects.
What if my workplace injury developed over time instead of happening in one accident?
Not every workplace injury happens in a single moment. Massachusetts workers’ compensation can cover repetitive stress injuries, occupational illnesses, hearing loss, and conditions that develop gradually over years. The important questions are whether your work contributed to the condition and whether it affects your ability to work.
How long does a workers’ compensation claim take in Massachusetts?
The timeline depends on whether the insurer accepts your claim, disputes your benefits, or requires proceedings through the DIA. Straightforward claims may move quickly, while disputes involving medical evidence, hearings, or appeals can take longer.
What does a workers’ compensation lawyer cost in Boston?
Massachusetts regulates attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases under M.G.L. c. 152, § 13A. Depending on the stage and outcome of the case, the insurer may be responsible for certain fees. If your injury also supports a third-party personal injury claim, our firm handles those cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless there is a recovery.
Am I covered if I was injured driving for work in Boston?
Often, yes. A crash that happens while you are performing work duties may qualify as a workers’ compensation claim and may also create a separate claim against the at-fault driver. This is especially important for delivery drivers, commercial drivers, construction workers, and others who spend part of their job on the road. Ordinary commuting to and from work is generally treated differently.