The top-rated workers compensation lawyer in Portland, Maine is Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, rated 5.0 stars across 198 reviews. Other highly rated options include Berman & Simmons, Lowry Law, Peter Thompson & Associates. This directory lists 27 workers compensation lawyers serving Portland.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law Offices of Joe Bornstein | 90 Johnson Rd Suite A | (207) 360-8898 |
| 2 | Berman & Simmons | 85 Exchange St 2nd floor | (207) 383-3216 |
| 3 | Lowry Law | 33 McAlister Farm Rd Suite 203 | (207) 600-1526 |
| 4 | Peter Thompson & Associates | 92 Exchange St | (207) 874-0909 |
| 5 | Gideon Asen LLC | 217 Commercial St | (207) 766-7761 |
| 6 | Morgan & Morgan | 254 Commercial St Suite 229 | (207) 352-6140 |
| 7 | Garmey Law | 482 Congress St # 402 | (207) 387-7672 |
| 8 | Romanow Law Group | 1087 Forest Ave | (207) 331-9990 |
| 9 | Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. | 75 Pearl St #400 | (207) 495-7177 |
| 10 | Thistle Weaver & Morris | 183 Middle St # 400 | (207) 772-0303 |
The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein assists individuals in Portland, Maine, with filing claims and appealing denied benefits related to workplace injuries. The firm handles the complex paperwork and legal requirements involved in securing medical care and wage replacement. It represents clients through settlement negotiations and hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Board. Services extend to those injured in various employment settings, including office jobs, construction sites, retail environments, and restaurants.
Berman & Simmons serves residents and small business owners throughout the Portland, ME area who require legal representation after a workplace injury. The firm handles claims for lost wages, medical benefits, and disability ratings under the state workers' compensation system. It also assists clients with navigating disputes against employer insurance carriers to secure entitled coverage. In addition to serving downtown Portland, its practice extends to the neighboring community of South Portland and surrounding Cumberland County locations.
Navigating a workers’ compensation claim often hinges on understanding whether the cost is a one-time legal fee or a recurring expense tied to ongoing medical benefits and lost-wage replacement. Lowry Law in Portland, ME, assists injured workers in securing these necessary benefits. The firm handles interactions with insurers and the workers’ compensation board to ensure medical coverage and disability payments are pursued appropriately. This service typically operates on a one-time retainer or contingency basis, with additional as-needed support for claim modifications or dispute hearings that may arise.
Peter Thompson & Associates focuses on workers compensation law, guiding injured employees through the claim filing process and appeals. Serving Portland, ME, the firm assists clients with medical benefit documentation and lost wage recovery from workplace incidents. It helps those injured on the job navigate complex administrative procedures to secure appropriate compensation. The practice also addresses the particular challenges for workers injured during Maine’s winter months, such as falls on icy surfaces at commercial properties.
Gideon Asen LLC provides workers compensation legal services to residents of Portland, Maine. The firm also represents commercial clients throughout the local area who require assistance with workplace injury claims. It handles cases involving medical benefits, wage replacement, and disputes with insurance providers. Follow-up consultations are available to address ongoing claim needs between routine visits at the office located in the city.
At Morgan & Morgan in Portland, ME, the practice focuses on representing individuals who have sustained workplace injuries. As a Workers Compensation Lawyer, the firm handles claims for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from on-the-job accidents. It also addresses disputes when an employer’s insurance provider denies or undervalues a claim. The firm offers its services to a range of commercial sectors, including offices, warehouses, and food service businesses in the Portland area.
Garmey Law is known for dedicated representation of injured workers throughout Portland, Maine. The firm focuses exclusively on workers’ compensation cases from initial claim filing through contested hearings. Common legal matters include disputes over medical benefits, lost wage benefits, and permanent impairment ratings. Attorneys guide clients through the administrative process before the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board. The practice also handles appeals of denied claims to ensure fair treatment. Additional support includes assistance with Social Security disability claims that may overlap with workplace injuries.
Romanow Law Group provides comprehensive legal representation for individuals navigating workers compensation claims in Portland, Maine. Its services include filing claims, negotiating settlements, and contesting denied benefits to secure necessary medical care and wage replacement. The firm assists clients through the entire administrative and appeals process if required, offering consistent counsel for ongoing or disputed cases. These legal services support property owners and tenants involved in workplace injury matters, including those tied to single-family homes, apartments, retail spaces, and local restaurants.
Serving Portland, Maine and the surrounding communities, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. handles workers compensation matters for employees injured on the job. The firm assists with claims for lost wages, medical expenses, and permanent disability benefits arising from workplace incidents. It also addresses disputes regarding claim denials and benefit reductions. Their approach involves carefully reviewing case facts, coordinating necessary medical evaluations, and negotiating with insurance carriers to secure appropriate settlements or pursue hearings when required.
What Does a a Workers Compensation Lawyer in Portland Cost?
The cost of hiring a workers compensation lawyer in Portland, Maine, is typically structured as a contingency fee, meaning the attorney receives a percentage of the benefits you recover. For ongoing weekly benefits, the fee is usually 20 percent of the amount recovered, paid as benefits are issued. For lump sum settlements, the fee is capped at 20 percent of the settlement amount, and this must be approved by the Workers Compensation Board to ensure it is reasonable. Some attorneys may charge a flat fee for specific services like document review or mediation, but this is less common. You will not pay any money upfront, and initial consultations are free.
It is important to note that Maine law requires all attorney fees in workers compensation cases to be approved by the Workers Compensation Board, which provides a layer of protection for injured workers. Typical total fees in a case that settles for a lump sum of $50,000 would be around $10,000, and for a case that goes to hearing and wins ongoing benefits, the fee might be 20 percent of the first several months of benefits. This is general information and not legal advice. You should always discuss fee arrangements in detail with any lawyer you consider hiring, and get the fee agreement in writing before signing.
About workers compensation lawyers in Portland
Workers compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical care and wage replacement to employees who suffer on-the-job injuries, occupational diseases, or repetitive stress injuries. In Portland, Maine, common workplace injuries include construction accidents such as falls from scaffolding, machinery accidents, and lifting injuries that lead to back or shoulder damage. Occupational diseases like asbestos-related lung conditions from old building renovations, carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive data entry, and hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure are also frequent. Maine law requires most employers to carry workers compensation coverage for all employees, including part-time and seasonal workers, with very few exceptions such as certain agricultural workers or independent contractors who meet strict legal tests.
Maine’s workers compensation system is governed by Title 39-A of the Maine Revised Statutes and administered by the Maine Workers Compensation Board. Any employer with one or more employees must carry coverage, unless the employer is a sole proprietor or a partnership that elects to exclude themselves. Benefit calculations are based on the employee’s average weekly wage, with a formula that pays 80 percent of the employee’s spendable average weekly wage, subject to a maximum weekly benefit that is adjusted annually. As of 2024, the maximum weekly benefit for total incapacity is approximately $1,200 per week, while the minimum is around $200 per week. The state also has a specific “second injury fund” that helps employers when a pre-existing condition combines with a workplace injury.
The types of benefits available under Maine workers compensation include temporary total disability, which pays for lost wages while you are completely unable to work and are still healing. This benefit continues until you reach maximum medical improvement or return to work. Permanent partial disability benefits are available if you have a lasting impairment but can still work in some capacity, calculated using a percentage of impairment times a statutory value. Permanent total disability benefits apply when you cannot return to any gainful employment, and these benefits continue for life. Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary treatment, including surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and mileage to appointments. Vocational rehabilitation may be provided if you cannot return to your previous job, including retraining and job placement assistance. Death benefits pay funeral expenses up to $8,000 and weekly benefits to surviving dependents, typically 80 percent of the deceased worker’s spendable average weekly wage.
The claims process in Maine begins with reporting the injury to your employer as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days from the date of injury. The employer must file a First Report of Injury with the Workers Compensation Board within 14 days of learning of the injury. Your employer or its insurance carrier may require you to attend an independent medical examination with a doctor of their choosing, which you must attend or risk losing benefits. Once you reach maximum medical improvement, meaning your condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further, a doctor will assign a permanent impairment rating. Settlement options include a lump sum payment, which closes the case entirely, or a structured settlement that pays benefits over time, often with medical care left open. Lump sum settlements in Maine must be approved by the Workers Compensation Board to ensure they are fair.
Disputed claims are common in Maine, with denials often based on arguments that the injury did not arise out of employment, that the condition is a pre-existing issue, or that the employee failed to report in time. If your claim is denied, you have two years from the date of injury to file a Petition for Award with the Workers Compensation Board. The Board holds informal mediation conferences first, and if no agreement is reached, a formal administrative hearing is scheduled before a hearing officer. The hearing officer issues a decision that can be appealed to the full Workers Compensation Board and then to the Maine Superior Court and Law Court. The role of the Workers Compensation Board is to oversee the system, resolve disputes, and ensure compliance with state law, including penalties for employers who fail to carry coverage.
Third-party claims are a separate avenue for recovery when someone other than your employer caused your injury. For example, if a defective piece of equipment malfunctions and injures you, you may sue the manufacturer for product liability. If a delivery driver negligently causes a crash while on the job, you may sue that driver and their employer. These lawsuits are not barred by workers compensation, but the law requires that any money you recover from a third party must first repay your employer or its insurance carrier for the workers compensation benefits they paid you. This is called subrogation, and it is governed by Maine law. A skilled attorney can help you pursue both a workers compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit to maximize your total recovery, while ensuring the subrogation lien is properly handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to report a workplace injury in Portland, Maine, and what happens if I miss it?
Under Maine law, you must report your injury to your employer within 90 days of the date of injury, or within 90 days of when a doctor first diagnoses an occupational disease. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be permanently barred. However, if you can show that your employer had actual knowledge of the injury or that the delay was excusable, the Workers Compensation Board may still allow your claim. It is always best to report in writing and keep a copy for your records.
How much does it cost to hire a workers compensation lawyer in Portland, Maine?
Most workers compensation lawyers in Maine work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win benefits. The typical fee is 20 to 25 percent of the amount recovered, but this must be approved by the Workers Compensation Board. For lump sum settlements, the fee is usually capped at 20 percent of the settlement amount. Initial consultations are almost always free, and you do not pay any upfront costs. This is general information and not legal advice; you should discuss fees directly with any attorney you consider.
What is the process for appealing a denied workers compensation claim in Maine?
If your claim is denied, you must file a Petition for Award with the Maine Workers Compensation Board within two years of the injury date. The Board will first schedule a mediation conference, which is informal and non-binding. If mediation fails, a formal hearing is held before a hearing officer, where both sides present evidence and testimony. The hearing officer issues a written decision, which can be appealed to the full Workers Compensation Board, then to the Maine Superior Court, and finally to the Maine Law Court. The entire process can take 6 to 18 months depending on complexity.