What Happened
Our client is a dedicated 61-year-old healthcare professional from Roxbury who spent the majority of her career caring for others as a Licensed Practical Nurse. On January 16, 2025, while moving a heavy patient at a Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Boston, she sustained a serious injury to her left shoulder on the job. The pain was immediate and severe — she was unable to lift her arm, pull on her boots, or dress herself without assistance.
She was evaluated at MGB Urgent Care just days after the accident, placed in a shoulder sling, and referred to an orthopedic surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. An MRI confirmed what the surgeon suspected: a significant rotator cuff tear involving the supraspinatus with fiber retraction, along with injury to the long head of the biceps tendon. A follow-up CT scan ruled out significant underlying arthritis as a contributing factor.
Treatment and Recovery
On April 21, 2025, her surgeon performed rotator cuff repair surgery along with a biceps tenodesis procedure. Recovery was gradual. While her shoulder motion improved over time and her incisions healed well, she continued to experience significant physical limitations — including persistent thumb numbness and an inability to perform tasks like chest compressions, pushing a cart, or lifting 50 pounds. Her surgeon recommended she remain out of work until approximately April 2026.
What the Insurer Did — and How Attorney Pappas Responded
The workers’ compensation insurer initially paid temporary total incapacity benefits under M.G.L. c. 152, § 34, acknowledging that her injury was work-related. However, on November 25, 2025 — after the insurer arranged for this worker to be examined by their own independent medical examiner (IME) — the insurer terminated her benefits during the payment-without-prejudice extension period.
Notably, even the insurer’s own independent medical examiner confirmed that the January 16, 2025 work accident was the major cause of her disability and treatment needs and that there were no significant preexisting conditions affecting her rotator cuff. Despite this, the independent doctor concluded that our client could return to work. Based upon this opinion, the insurer cut off her benefits.
| Attorney Chuck Pappas moved swiftly knowing that his client was enduring a financial hardship without any source of income and filed a Claim for Benefits right away. Following the Conciliation stage and before the case even reached a Conference before a Judge, he negotiated a $115,000 lump sum settlement on her behalf — providing her with the financial stability she needed. |
What This Means for You
If you were hurt on the job in Massachusetts — whether you work in healthcare, construction, retail, or any other field — you have important legal rights under the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Act. Insurers do not always play fair, and a benefits termination is not the end of the road. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you fight back.
Attorney Chuck Pappas has helped injured workers throughout Massachusetts navigate the complex workers’ compensation system, from the initial claim through Conciliation, Conference, Hearing, and beyond. Results like this one reflect his commitment to getting injured workers the compensation they deserve — without having to go all the way to a contested hearing if a fair resolution can be reached sooner.
Were You Injured on the Job in Massachusetts?You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits — even if the insurer has already denied your claim or stopped your payments. Attorney Chuck Pappas offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover for you. 📞 Call Today: (508) 879-3500 ✉️ Email: info@pappaslaw.com |
A work accident isn't something most think about often until it happens to them. This is why injured workers typically have many questions and concerns after being seriously injured on the job. If you were hurt at work, you should have a good understanding of the workers’ compensation process and benefits available in Massachusetts. Experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, Chuck Pappas is here to help you during this difficult time.