• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Keches Law Group is now the official law firm of The New England Patriots - Learn More

offical injury law firm of the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Free Jacks

en_US English
en_US English es_ES Español pt_BR Português do Brasil
Free Confidential Consultation  (617) 898-0808

Keches Law Group

Workers' Compensation and Injury Lawyers

  • Home
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Class Actions
    • Employment Law
    • Social Security Disability
    • Accidental Disability Retirement
    • Insurance Disputes
  • Case Results
  • Client Reviews
  • About
    • News & Media
    • Careers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • No Fee Policy
    • Keches Cares™ Giving
    • Scholarship Essay Contest
    • Attorney Referrals
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • en_USEnglish
  • es_ESEspañol
  • pt_BRPortuguês do Brasil

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Class Actions
    • Employment Law
    • Social Security Disability
    • Accidental Disability Retirement
    • Insurance Disputes
  • Case Results
  • Client Reviews
  • About
    • News & Media
    • Careers
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • No Fee Policy
    • Keches Cares™ Giving
    • Scholarship Essay Contest
    • Attorney Referrals
  • Search
  • Contact Us

Call Now. We’re available 24/7.

Se habla español

(617) 898-0808

Workers’ Compensation for Work-Related Heart Attacks

You are here: Home / Practice Areas / Workers’ Compensation Lawyers / Workers’ Compensation for Work-Related Heart Attacks
Under MA workers' compensation law, benefits are available to make up for lost wages and pay for medical care for work-related heart attacks.

Under Massachusetts workers’ compensation laws, benefits are available to make up for lost wages and pay for medical care for any work-related injury. This is as true for heart attacks as it is for broken bones.

In fact, pursuing a heart attack claim is not much different from pursuing a claim for any other injury. As with any workers’ compensation claim, a doctor’s opinion that the injury is work-related is essential to proving the case.

Types of Work-Related Heart Attacks

Under Massachusetts laws, a “work-related injury” is an injury caused by an aspect of employment.

Typically, there are four categories of work-related heart attacks for which workers’ compensation benefits may be available.

Heart Attacks Caused by Environmental Factors

First, on occasion, environmental aspects of the workplace can cause cardio-vascular deterioration that eventually leads to a heart attack.

For example, exposure to certain hazardous chemicals may result in respiratory disease. Respiratory disease, in turn, places extra strain on the heart. This extra strain can eventually result in a heart attack.

Additionally, exposure to heat can significantly increase the likelihood of a heart attack. This is true even in otherwise healthy individuals.

Heart Attacks Caused by Physical Work Activity

Second, physical work activity, usually, but not necessarily, of heavy physical nature may precipitate a heart attack.

For instance, if a worker lifts a heavy object and the physical exertion results in a heart attack.

Work-related heart attacks can also occur following prolonged activity like when a worker performs a physically demanding job for hours at a time. This type of heart attack could ensue when an individual works two shifts consecutively or stays up all night to finish a job. In either case, physical activity is not necessary for a heart attack to arise.

Further, changes in blood pressure related to a change in posture or simply by going from one work activity to the next can also bring about heart attacks.

Heart Attacks Caused by Emotional Factors

Third, emotional stress or excitement, including worry, fear, surprise, or anxiety can induce work-related heart attacks.

If an employee suffers a heart attack after witnessing workplace tragedy or following a confrontation with their superior, such injury may be compensable.

However, for claims involving a heart attack triggered by an emotional event, different rules will apply. Compensation is only available if the event in question is unrelated to common, good-faith issues of work performance, scheduling, and things of that nature.

Heart Attacks Caused by Medical Treatment

Fourth, medical treatment or medication an injured worker receives for a pre-existing work-related injury can lead to a heart attack.

To illustrate, imagine an instance where a patient must undergo an MRI for a prior work-related injury. Later, during their MRI the patient sustains a heart attack caused by stress from undergoing the procedure and being in a tight space. This heart attack would be considered “work-related.”

In fact, any injury arising out of treatment for work-related injuries is generally compensated as part of the original claim.

Can Pre-Existing Risk Factors Impact my Workers’ Compensation Claim?

No matter the type of heart attack at hand, insurance companies will usually make an issue out of the injured worker’s health history.

Pre-existing heart disease such as high blood pressure or the prevalence of certain risk factors like a history of smoking or obesity does not exclude individuals from receiving workers’ compensation benefits for a heart attack. However, workers’ compensation insurance companies will point towards these factors, suggesting the injured worker’s employment did not cause their heart attack.

Only a doctor can determine the cause of a heart attack. Most often, it is a combination of factors that will result in a heart attack – not a single factor.

Thus, as long as some aspect of employment is a factor, a workers’ compensation attorney can answer your questions. They will be able to provide advice as to whether you may be eligible to receive benefits.

Can I Receive Compensation for a Work-Related Heart Attack that Occured Outside My Workplace?

Work-related heart attacks need not always occur while at one’s place of work.

In some Massachusetts cases, individuals received workers’ compensation benefits for a heart attack occurring outside the workplace during non-work hours. Sometimes, the heart attack occurred even several days after the employee last worked.

In cases such as these, the injured worker must prove that cardiac symptoms began at work and continued. Therefore, inevitably leading to a heart attack occurring at home.

Likewise, an employee at home on a day off who receives a stress-inducing phone call from his or her employer resulting in a heart attack may receive benefits too.

Final Word

Only your lawyer and doctor can provide meaningful advice as to whether workers’ compensation insurance should cover your heart attack.

Medical bills from a heart attack can be significant and time away from work while recovering can be extensive. Massachusetts law regularly awards workers’ compensation benefits for work-related heart attacks. If you or a family member suffered a work-related heart attack, even with pre-existing conditions, contact Keches Law Group today.

If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related heart attack, contact us for a free consultation today. One of our experienced attorneys can come to you if you are unable to travel to one of our offices. We will begin the process of getting you compensation for your lost wages right away.

Primary Sidebar

Free Case Evaluation

Call 617-898-0808 for immediate help or fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Secure Form

[brb_collection id="2306"]

Footer

About Us
Keches Cares™
Careers
Diversity & Inclusion
Scholarship
Attorney Referrals
No Fee Policy

Recent Blog Posts:

  • Gallery: Salute To Nurses 2025
  • Keches Law Group Proudly Sponsors Boston Globe’s “Salute To Nurses” Celebration
  • We Built This City – Celebrating the workers who keep New England going
  • Keches Law Group Celebrates Five Attorneys Listed Among Best Lawyers®

Contact Us

We are available 24/7 by phone

Se habla Español / Portugues
en_US English
en_US English es_ES Español pt_BR Português do Brasil


Office Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, Sunday and evening appointments available upon request.

We’re just a call or click away if you need help.

617-898-0808

Contact Us By Email →

Follow Us:


The Official Injury Law Firm of: official injury law firm

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • ADA Notice
  • Blog
  • Press Releases

Site Footer

We serve all of MA, NH, RI, CT including the following locations: Bristol County including Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton; Norfolk County including Brookline, Dedham, Franklin, Milton, and Quincy; Worcester County including Fitchburg, Leominster, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Worcester; Hampden County including Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield; Middlesex County including Cambridge, Framingham, Lowell, and Medford; and Plymouth County including Brockton and Plymouth.

Attorney advertisement disclaimer: the information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Any information submitted through a form is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Copyright © 2025 Keches Law Group · All Rights Reserved

en_US English
en_US English
es_ES Español
pt_BR Português do Brasil