How Much Are Benefits for Workers Compensation Massachusetts

When trying to calculate your potential benefits when injured, you need to know your weekly gross income. After you figure that out, there are different calculations based on your level of injury and disability. The types of workers compensation Massachusetts calculations are below, but it’s important to know that there is a statutory minimum of $251.29/week and maximum of $1256.47/week, depending on the type of benefit to which you’re entitled.

Temporary total incapacity: Multiply your average weekly wage by 60%. For example, if your average weekly wage is $895, you will receive $537 in weekly compensation. In this case, the maximum and minimum rates do not apply to you since your weekly benefits fall within the window of $251.29 and $1,256,47. If, however, your average weekly wage is only $200, your weekly compensation will match this and be $200 (you do not have to perform the 60% calculation on weekly wages lower than the minimum State’s Average Weekly Wage).

Partial incapacity benefits: This weekly benefit depends on the amount of your temporary total incapacity. The maximum compensation you can receive is 75% of your potential temporary total incapacity benefits. For example, if we used the example above and you made $895/week and your temp total incapacity benefit was $537/week, then your temp partial incapacity could only be as high as 75% of $537, or $402.75.

Permanent and total incapacity: Multiply your average weekly wage by 2/3. For example, if your average weekly wage is $895, you will receive $596.67 in weekly compensation. If your average weekly wage were, say, $230, you would actually receive $251.29 in weekly benefits, since this is the minimum SAWW. Likewise, your weekly benefits are capped at $1,256,47.

Scarring or disfigurement lump sum settlements: Scarring on the face, neck, or hands, or permanent disfigurement, which occurs as a result of a work injury can be compensated with a lump-sum settlement not exceeding $15,000.

Survivors’ and dependents’ benefits: Surviving spouses are eligible to receive 2/3 of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage. Again, the minimum and maximum weekly rates apply here.

Workers Compensation Massachusetts Help

 This area of law can be complex and overwhelming. The lawyers at Powers & Caccavale have been handling workers compensation Massachusetts cases for over 30 years and pride themselves on their hard work and results. Please consider contacting them for a free evaluation to see if they could help you through this process of getting the benefits you deserve.