Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Lawrence, MA
If you have been injured at work in Lawrence, Massachusetts, you may be entitled to wage replacement, full medical coverage, and other benefits under M.G.L. Chapter 152. Attorney Robert E. Frawley represents injured workers throughout the Merrimack Valley from our office at 354 Merrimack Street, Suite 330, in downtown Lawrence. Se habla español.
Why Do Lawrence Workers Need a Workers’ Comp Attorney?
Lawrence has one of the highest concentrations of manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution jobs in northeastern Massachusetts. Workers in these industries face elevated risks of repetitive stress injuries, forklift accidents, chemical exposure, and musculoskeletal damage from heavy lifting. When employers and their insurance carriers dispute the severity of these injuries or deny claims altogether, having a local attorney who understands both the industry and the legal process is critical.
I spent years working as an insurance adjuster before becoming an attorney. That experience taught me exactly how insurers evaluate claims, identify weaknesses, and build arguments to reduce or deny benefits. I use that knowledge to anticipate their strategy and counter it effectively on behalf of my clients.
Who Qualifies for Workers’ Comp in Lawrence?
Nearly all employers in Massachusetts are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. You are eligible for benefits if you were injured while performing your job, even if you were partially at fault. This applies whether you work in a Lawrence warehouse, a restaurant on Essex Street, a construction site, or an office on Merrimack Street. Part-time, full-time, and seasonal workers are generally covered.
You do not need to prove your employer was negligent. Massachusetts workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning the cause of the accident matters less than whether the injury is work-related.
What Should I Do After a Workplace Injury in Lawrence?
The single most important step is to report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible. While Massachusetts does not set a specific statutory deadline for employee notification, prompt reporting is essential. Delays are one of the most common reasons insurers use to challenge claims, and your employer must file a First Report of Injury with the DIA within seven calendar days of the fifth day of disability.
After reporting, seek medical treatment immediately. Your employer’s insurer may direct you to a specific provider, but in an emergency you can go to Lawrence General Hospital or any nearby facility. Keep records of every medical visit, diagnosis, and prescribed treatment.
How Does the Workers’ Comp Process Work in Massachusetts?
Once you report an injury, your employer files a First Report of Injury with the Department of Industrial Accidents. The insurer then has a 180-day pay-without-prejudice period during which it may pay benefits while investigating the claim. After this period, the insurer must either accept or deny liability.
If your claim is denied or benefits are reduced, the case moves to the DIA for dispute resolution. The process typically begins with a conciliation conference, where both sides meet with a DIA conciliator to attempt a resolution. If conciliation fails, the matter proceeds to a hearing before an administrative judge. Our office handles every stage of this process for Lawrence-area clients.
Serving Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley
Our practice represents injured workers not only in Lawrence but throughout the surrounding Merrimack Valley communities, including Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, and Lowell. We maintain a deliberately low caseload so that every client receives individualized attention rather than being treated as just another file.
We also serve Lawrence’s large Spanish-speaking community. Attorney Yolla Sabounji and our support staff are fluent in Spanish, so language is never a barrier to getting the legal help you need. Ofrecemos consultas gratis en español.
Schedule a Free Consultation
There is no cost to meet with us and no fee unless we obtain compensation for you. Call Frawley & Sabounji Law Group at 617-523-2929 or visit our Lawrence office at 354 Merrimack Street, Suite 330, Lawrence, MA 01843.
