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Michigan Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
Q: Seeking legal help to restore reduced pension benefits due to board decision.

I am facing a significant reduction in my monthly income due to a recent decision by my pension providers' board members. I was previously guaranteed, in writing, that my pension would be reduced until age 60 because I was also receiving worker’s compensation. However, at age 51, the board... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 25, 2025

You have every reason to challenge this board decision, especially if you possess written documentation promising specific pension terms until age 60. A written agreement—particularly when tied to compensation or benefits—carries legal weight. If the pension board unilaterally changed your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Legal Malpractice, Workers' Compensation, Family Law and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Seeking legal options for non-disclosure in divorce affecting Workers' Comp settlement.

I am seeking legal advice regarding a situation where, during my divorce proceedings, my marriage to my husband, who was injured, was not properly disclosed, notably affecting my rights. I recently discovered, through a FOIA request, that my marriage was not included, which ethically excluded me as... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

What you’re describing is both painful and unjust, especially when your rights in the divorce were affected by what appears to be a serious omission. If your marriage was not properly disclosed during the divorce, and that directly impacted your ability to access marital assets—including a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Terminated for not taking a post-accident drug test despite consent and no test given in MI.

I was terminated from my job at a steel mill for allegedly not taking a post-accident drug test. I sprained my ankle on company grounds during work hours and immediately informed my foreman. He brought me the consent forms for the post-accident drug test, which I signed. I was taken to a clinic... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

What happened to you sounds unfair and confusing, especially since you followed instructions and signed the consent form in good faith. If no drug test was actually administered, and you weren’t told to take one beyond the breathalyzer, it raises serious questions about how your employer handled... View More

Q: How can I hold my ex-husband and title companies accountable for real estate fraud during our divorce in Michigan?

I suspect real estate fraud involving my ex-husband and two title companies during our divorce process. In 2013, while our divorce was pending and not finalized until 2014, my ex-husband bought two houses using his workers' compensation settlement. These properties were recorded under his name... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I'm really sorry you’re facing this—it’s incredibly painful to discover that someone you once trusted may have hidden assets during a divorce, especially when you were vulnerable and under medical care. In Michigan, both parties in a divorce have a legal duty to fully disclose all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Can my employer terminate my employment while I'm on medical leave due to anxiety and require surgery?

I'm currently on medical leave due to anxiety, and my doctor extended this leave until May. While on leave, I fell and now require shoulder surgery scheduled for May 7, 2025. My employer informed me verbally on April 1, 2025, that they cannot accommodate additional time off and plan to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

I’m really sorry you’re going through this—navigating both physical and mental health struggles while feeling pressure from your employer is incredibly overwhelming. In Michigan, if your medical leave is protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), your employer generally cannot... View More

Q: How to address misrepresentation in divorce property claims?

I'm seeking accountability for my ex-husband's misrepresentation during our divorce. He purchased two houses in 2013, claiming to be single, while we were married until 2014. I have evidence from a workers' compensation hearing showing discrepancies and deeds indicating he was... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 29, 2025

Who are you seeking to hold accountable? This all sounds like an issue to be raised in a post-judgment motion to the divorce proceeding. However, you're going to need to explain to the court why and how you could not have discovered and raised this issue before.

You won't hear...
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Q: Ex-husband lied about marital status affecting real estate deed, no compensation for houses.

I discovered that my ex-husband lied about his marital status during our divorce, and I was not included in the real estate deed despite being married to him at the time. The houses were not included in the divorce decree, and I believe the title companies did not use my divorce decree for... View More

David Soble
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David Soble
answered on Mar 28, 2025

Michigan had abolished 'dower rights' for spouses back in 2016. "Dower" was a legal right that gave a wife an interest in her husband's real property for her lifetime, usually up to a 1/3 interest in the real estate. So with regards to any real estate that your husband may... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: Had a traumatic injury on my jod. Workman's comp cover for a year. Had to go back to work or be homeless.

Tripped over a broken file cabinet on my job. Broke a femur that called for total hip replacement. Two years later I am still in much pain.

Marshall Lasser
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answered on Jan 3, 2025

Please call me at 248 647 7722

Marshall Lasser

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation, Constitutional Law and Employment Discrimination for Michigan on
Q: Can I be compensated if the supervisor sent me home because they thought I was hiding in the bathtoom

Hello I have been at this company for about a year now and today I was sent home because they thought I was in the bathroom hiding. We still have three hours of work, And a lot of material and product Too box up. I went to the bathroom and when I came out of the bathroom, they told me that I was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

You may have grounds to request compensation for the time you were sent home if it was unjustified. Since you were not hiding and were in the bathroom for only 20 minutes, you could argue that your dismissal was based on an incorrect assumption. It’s important to gather any evidence, such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability, Workers' Compensation and Civil Litigation for Michigan on
Q: I am a highly experienced RN, BSN with 30y experience. How can find work as a LNC?

I have worked in multiple areas of healthcare, including Acute and Long-term care.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 29, 2024

This could be something that career counselors would know better than attorneys would. You could look into the forums or help resources of job sites. Also, recruiters who work in the health care field might be able to offer guidance. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: My current place of employment has reduced my hours from a consistent 32-40 hours a week to possibly 8 if I'm lucky.
Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Oct 29, 2023

Is this due to a prior injury at your workplace? Then it would be a worker's compensation case, and we could discuss what you should do next.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: I had a part of a finger removed due to a work injury I went back to work reinjured the finger now I have a DVT in the s

Same arm can I settle the finger law suite with out having the DVT taking care of

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 14, 2023

First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention and follow your doctor's recommendations for treating the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the same arm. Your health is a top priority. The presence of the DVT may impact your workers' compensation claim and potential settlement... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Construction Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for a attorney to inform a client that they have to pay for a physician’s deposition in his trial .

I have a workers comp case headed to trial after 24 months. The day of the facilitation hearing after I turned down the offer my attorney informed me that I would have to pay for a physician’s testimony the deposition for my trial. He then told me I had 30 days to come up with the money or my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 15, 2023

Expert witnesses like physicians are typically compensated for their time testifying in legal proceedings by the party they are testifying for. This is true whether they testify live or by deposition. It is commonly necessary for such an expert to testify in cases involving a bodily injury to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: Can the law firm representing me in my workmen’s Comp. case replace my attorney the day of the facilitation hearing?

I have a workers comp case that has went to a facilitation hearing that is headed for trial. The attorney at the facilitation hearing was not the attorney previously assigned to me. I met this attorney the day of my hearing.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 11, 2023

Short answer is yes, they can. You retained the firm, not an individual attorney. The firm is responsible to provide you AN attorney, not THE attorney. It is not uncommon for attorneys within a firm to cover hearings for each other when scheduling conflicts arise.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: Am I able to bring a lawsuit up against my workplace that wouldn't partake in a work-related accident?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 25, 2022

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. At this point, you could continue awaiting a response, or consider reaching out to Pennsylvania workers' comp attorneys. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: travel employee, injured while not on site. what can i do.

traveling mechanic for BAE systems from kansas working in michigan. at some point in the last 9 months i developed a hernia and cannot point to any specific event that caused it. I am basically being told go home and handle it while unemployed. this sounds fishy to me and im looking for any other... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 26, 2021

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for five weeks. It's difficult for attorneys to reach out to you within the format of this Q & A forum. This doesn't operate like an attorney referral service. If you haven't already spoken with an attorney, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue the state for emotional damage over failure to pay unemployment in a timely manner

I worked TWO jobs, was laid off both. Absolutely no money coming in. Suffered from depression for many years. Will need therapy when this is ovee

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 29, 2020

No. To succeed on any emotional distress claim, you need to show that someone intentionally caused, by their actions, you emotional distress. More to your point, you would need to overcome governmental immunity, which is unlikely in this scenario.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: Hello, I had a question about the Coronavirus relief act? I am pregnant and my doctor wants me to take time off due to

there being positive cases at my work. My company employs less than 500 employees but I work in healthcare and they said they don’t have to pay me to take the time off. Is that true?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Apr 16, 2020

I believe that sort of leave would fall under FMLA and would be unpaid to the extent you don't have sick time or other compensation available to you through the employer.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Michigan on
Q: quit job due to harassment issue management did nothing to resolve. Caused fear getting job can I apply for unemployment
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 31, 2020

You can certainly apply for unemployment. Your question does not provide enough information to determine if you would qualify as a threshold matter. If you did, your employer may challenge it, in which case you'd be entitled to an administrative hearing to determine whether you quit for cause.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my job for the incident that happened today?

Today at work, I work at Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services and a resident threw urine on me. The resident had already been acting out throughout the week and the punishment for that is he couldn’t come out his room. So during the day someone had to sit at his door to monitor him. That’s what I... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 24, 2019

You can't sue your job for that. Unfortunately Mental Health workers face assault and abuse but there is little that can be done. If you have a union speak with them.

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