Musculoskeletal Injuries

Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law

The Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates are seasoned leaders in and disability law. For over 20 years, we have established a successful track record recovering workers’ compensation benefits for musculoskeletal injuries sustained on the job. Our Boston office provides award-winning representation to employees injured in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are disorders affecting the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. They are common in workplaces and can occur in any part of the body through accidents or continued exertion involving:

• Muscular contraction
• Paralysis or lost control
• Pinched nerves or vessels
• Brain or spinal cord damage
• Open or closed bone fractures
• Strained, overstretched tendons
• Joint dislocation, displacement
• Tearing of ligaments, soft tissues
• Repetitive stress or carpal tunnel

MSIs account for 80 percent of all reported workplace injury claims in Massachusetts. The Department of Industrial Accidents and Occupational Health and Safety Administration have identified common risk factors present in nearly every work environment. These often include:

• Physical demands
  • Repetitive motion
  • Local contact stress
  • Required use of force
  • Duration and frequency
• Workplace conditions
  • Cold temperatures
  • Reaches and heights
  • Posture, ergonomics
  • Seating, floor surfaces
• Characteristics of objects
  • Shape of containers
  • Handling large objects
  • Tool, equipment handles
  • Load, weight distribution
• Work organization
  • Work rate controls
  • Work-recovery cycles
  • Engineering assistance
  • Variable tasks, training

Massachusetts law requires that employers reasonably eliminate or minimize MSI risks, providing protective equipment and controlling exposure whenever practicable. Employees that suffer job-related MSIs are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, paid by employers and their insurers, regardless of fault.

Recognizing MSIs at Work

Physical duties requiring constant key strokes, lifting and lowering, pushing and pulling, hand-arm vibration, and other soft tissue damage are all responsible for MSIs at work. Over time, employees with MSIs may show various symptoms of related harm, including:

• Redness, heat
• Pain or swelling
• Tingling sensation
• Numbness, stiffness
• Localized discomfort
• Weakness, tenderness
• Reduced range of motion
• Lost circulation, bruising

MSIs involving the head, neck, or back are often serious and lead to further damage. If workers suspect epicondylitis, a fracture or other MSI, they should immediately report the injury to the employer and seek medical care. Failure to treat MSIs can lead to bleeding and permanent damage.

Workers’ Compensation for MSIs

Workers’ compensation benefits are available for workers who suffer MSIs or exacerbated MSIs as a result of their jobs. Employees are entitled to a fraction of their average weekly wage when MSIs prevent them from returning to work. Other benefits may include coverage for:

• X-rays, imaging
• Medical services
• Physical therapy
• Pain management
• Specialty consults
• Surgical procedures
• Mileage and parking
• Prescription medicine

Benefits continue until the injured worker is medically cleared for light duty or return to work. If MSIs prevent a return to the same or similar employment, vocational rehabilitation services may be available for cost-effective retraining.

Recovering Maximum Benefits

If you have suffered a work-related musculoskeletal injury, contact the Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys at Kantrovitz & Associates today. For over 20 years, we have dedicated our practice to maximizing workers’ compensation benefits, lump-sum settlements, and other disability awards. We are proud to serve injured workers in all areas of Boston, Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Merrimack Valley. Call 800-367-0871 for a free consultation or contact us online.