The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents is the court where all workers compensation disputed claims are handled and decided. Whether you have to go to court for your workers compensation case really depends on your case.

For example, if you get hurt on-the-job and the workers compensation insurance company pays all your medical bills and lost time from work, then you will not need to go to court.

However, if the insurance company denies your claim, or only pays part of your claim, then, you will have to go to court if you want to fight the denial.

The first step is the conciliation, which is when a court conciliator decides if your case is ready for judicial review. The next step in the court process is a conference. At this stage you really should have a work injury lawyer as the insurance company will have their lawyer at court fighting on its behalf. If either party appeals the conference order, then the case will go to hearing which will require your attendance.