Michigan Workers’ Compensation Hearings

Whether you receive workers’ compensation benefits following an on-the-job injury can make a significant difference in your future finances. Normally, a workers’ compensation insurance policy should provide wage reimbursement benefits and specific injury payments if an incident leaves you unable to work.

Almost 75 percent of all workers’ compensation claims settle with a fair benefits package. However, if you are experiencing resistance from an insurance company, pursuing an appeal may be the only chance to obtain the payment you need. Requesting a Michigan workers’ compensation hearing can result in either a mediation session, where the State facilitates settlement talks, or a trial before a magistrate, where both sides can present their positions.

If your claim was denied or an insurance company refused to offer you fair benefits, consider seeking An experienced attorney from Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. could help to protect your legal rights and fight for your interests during mediation or trial.

• How to Request a Workers’ Compensation Hearing and What to Expect
• Where Do Workers’ Compensation Hearings Take Place?
• Call a Michigan Attorney for Representation During a Workers’ Compensation Hearing

Why a Hearing may be Necessary

While most workers’ compensation claims provide employees with the benefits that they need, insurance companies sometimes deny claims in their entirety. This can occur when the company does not believe the injury or illness is work-related. In these cases, a worker may initiate the appeals process and request a hearing.

Other common reasons for a Michigan workers’ compensation hearing include:

• The insurance company limits benefits to medical care
• The benefits package does not include payments for specific injuries
• The insurance company does not believe that a claimant meets the definition of disabled

An attorney could help claimants understand the insurance company’s offer and evaluate whether an appeal might bring a better chance for appropriate benefits.

How to Request a Michigan Workers’ Compensation Hearing and What to Expect

Any person who receives a workers’ compensation insurance decision has the right to appeal that decision to the Workers’ Compensation Agency (WCA). To initiate the appeal, a worker must complete and submit Form 104A. This form requires information about employment, the injury itself, and doctors who have provided treatment.

Upon receipt of this form, the Workers’ Compensation Agency may refer the case to mediation. This is an opportunity for both sides to present their case in an informal, non-binding session. A successful mediation session ends when both parties agree to a benefits package.

However, it is possible that mediation will fail. In these cases, the WCA will schedule the case for a full hearing. These hearings take place in front of a magistrate who will accept evidence from both parties and make a formal decision.

If this session still fails to bring an acceptable result, either party may file an appeal with the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission. This will not result in a new trial, but the Commission will examine the evidence presented at the primary hearing to determine if the outcome was a proper one.

Where do Workers’ Compensation Hearings Take Place?

Michigan has several workers’ compensation hearing sites. The location of your hearing is determined by the county in which your injury occurred.

Baraga

The Baraga hearing site handles claims from the following counties:

• Baraga
• Gogebic
• Houghton
• Iron
• Keweenaw
• Ontonagon

Baraga Lakeside Inn
900 S. US 41
Baraga, MI, 49908

Phone: 989-758-1768
Fax: 989-758-1847

Detroit

Work injuries from the following counties have claims heard at the Detroit location:

• Macomb
• Monroe
• Washtenaw
• Wayne

Cadillac Place
3026 West Grand Boulevard
Suite 3-700
Detroit, MI 48202

Phone: 313-456-3650
Fax: 313-456-3651

Escanaba

The Escanaba site handles hearings from the following counties:

• Alger
• Delta
• Dickenson
• Marquette
• Menominee
• Schoolcraft County

State Office Building
305 Ludington
Escanaba MI 49829

Phone: 989-758-1768
Fax: 989-758-1847

Gaylord

Workers’ compensation claims originating in the following counties have hearings at the Gaylord location

• Alcona
• Alpena
• Antrim
• Charlevoix
• Cheboygan
• Crawford
• Emmet
• Kalkaska
• Montmorency
• Oscoda
• Otsego
• Presque Isle
• Roscommon

University Center at Gaylord
80 Livingston Blvd.
Gaylord, MI 49735

Phone: 313-456-3657
Fax: 313-456-3651

Grand Rapids

Work injuries that occurred in the following counties are heard at the Grand Rapids hearing site:

• Allegan
• Barry
• Ionia
• Kent
• Lake
• Mason
• Mecosta
• Montcalm
• Muskegon
• Newaygo
• Oceana
• Osceola
• Ottawa

2942 Fuller Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Phone: 616-447-2680
Fax: 616-447-2685

Kalamazoo

The Kalamazoo site handles claims originating in the following counties:

• Berrien
• Branch
• Calhoun
• Cass
• Kalamazoo
• St. Joseph
• Van Buren

940 N. 10th Street,
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009

Phone: (269) 544-4440
Fax: (269) 544-4444

Okemos

The following counties have their workers’ compensation hearings at the Okemos location:

• Clinton
• Eaton
• Genesee
• Hillsdale
• Ingham
• Jackson
• Lenawee
• Livingston
• Shiawassee

2501 Woodlake Circle
Okemos, MI 48864

Mailing Address:
P O Box 30016
Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: 517-284-8944
Fax: 517-284-8940

Pontiac

The Pontiac site holds hearings for the following counties:

• Lapeer
• Oakland
• St. Clair

51111 Woodward Avenue
Pontiac, MI 48342

Phone: 248-975-3275
Fax: 248-975-3274

Saginaw

Work injuries that occurred in the following counties are heard at the Saginaw hearing site:

• Arenac
• Bay
• Clare
• Gladwin
• Gratiot
• Huron
• Iosco
• Isabella
• Midland
• Ogemaw
• Saginaw
• Sanilac
• Tuscola

Jerome T. Hart State Office Building
411 E. Genesee
Saginaw, MI 48607

Phone: 989-758-1768
Fax: 989-758-1847

Sault Ste. Marie

If the injury occurred in the following counties, the hearing will be held at the Sault Ste. Marie location:

Best Western Sault Ste. Marie
4281 I-75 Business Spur
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Phone: 989-758-1768
Fax: 989-758-1847

Traverse City

The Traverse City hearing site handles claims from the following counties:

• Benzie
• Grand Traverse
• Leelanau
• Manistee
• Missaukee
• Wexford

3333 Cass Road
Traverse City, MI 49684

Phone: 616-447-2680
Fax: 616-447-2685

Call a Michigan Attorney for Representation During a Workers’ Compensation Hearing

Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits in Michigan is often unnecessarily complicated. Insurance companies may try to fight to protect their profits, especially if the exact nature or cause of an injury is unclear. However, people who do not receive a proper benefits package always have the right to ask the State to intervene.

This can result in a hearing in which a judge will decide the matter. At the same time, the State may attempt to mediate the conflict to bring both sides together into a settlement. In either situation, you have the right to representation by an attorney. A lawyer could guide you through the Michigan workers’ compensation hearing process, which may significantly increase your chances of success. Call Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. to schedule an appointment.