Charters Law

04/01/2026

02/05/2026

Congratulations to Sean Shearer for being appointed to the bench and is now a Magistrate at the Detroit Workers’ Compensation Agency. A much deserved honor!

Thank you for years of hard work and dedication spent protecting the rights of injured workers.

We’ll miss you in the office and know you’ll do great!

01/23/2026

In Michigan, the only thing colder than the weather is how insurance companies treat injured workers.

10/20/2025

Charters, Tyler, Zack & Shearer, P. C. is a law firm dedicated to assisting injured individuals throughout the State of Michigan. Our attorneys have a well-founded reputation for aggressively fighting on behalf of our clients to ensure they are compensated for their injuries and receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Each attorney is highly skilled in representing injured individuals, the majority of which have over 50+ years of experience. Martindale-Hubbell, the national publication that lists and rates attorneys gives Charters, Tyler, Zack & Shearer, P. C. the highest rating possible and lists them among the preeminent law firms in the country.

10/03/2025

Congratulations to John Charters for being recognized with the distinguished honor of a Leader in Law Award by Michigan Lawyers Weekly! Mr. Charters has been specializing in workers’ compensation for over 50 years. Since 1995 Mr. Charters has been named yearly in The Best Lawyers in America for his knowledge and expertise in workers’ compensation, an honor bestowed upon him by his peers.

09/08/2025

In Michigan, many employers, and their insurance carriers, look for ways to reduce workers’ compensation costs. Here are some of the most common tactics:

1. Delaying or Denying Claims
• Employers may delay reporting injuries to their insurance company, which slows down benefits.
• They might deny that the injury is work-related, arguing it happened off the job or is due to a pre-existing condition.
• Some employers try to pressure workers into using their own health insurance instead of filing a comp claim.

2. Misclassifying Employees or Jobs
• Employers sometimes classify workers as independent contractors to avoid responsibility for comp coverage.
• They may also misclassify jobs as “safer” than they really are, which lowers insurance premiums but leaves injured workers in a tougher spot when filing claims.

3. Forcing Workers Back Too Soon
• Employers and insurance carriers often send workers to “company doctors” who may downplay the injury and clear the employee to return before they are fully healed.
• Returning too early can worsen injuries and give the employer grounds to reduce or cut off benefits.

4. Surveillance and Intimidation
• Insurance companies sometimes hire private investigators to watch injured workers, hoping to catch them doing physical activities that can be used to argue they aren’t really disabled.

No one should have to fight this battle alone. Our office his here to help and provide guidance.

09/05/2025

If you are injured at work, make sure to keep records and document everything. Save all medical records, accident reports, and written communication with your employer and insurance adjuster.

Our office can help guide you through the process of workers' compensation, even if we never end up having to file a case. We are here to help.

Call now to connect with business.

09/02/2025

We like to say that the time to call a workers' compensation attorney is the day before you're injured.

If you suffer a workplace injury, you need to report it to your employer as soon as possible.

Michigan law requires your five notice to your employer of a work injury, ideally in writing or through filing out an Injury Report.

You should also contact a workers' compensation attorney. Our office is always available to answer any questions you have regarding a work injury you or someone you know has suffered.

08/25/2025

If you are injured at work, here are three things to know and do:

1. Report the Injury Immediately
• Tell your employer right away — preferably in writing — even if the injury seems minor at first.
• Michigan law gives you 90 days to notify your employer, but the sooner you do it, the better for your claim.
• Be specific about when, where, and how the injury occurred.

2. Get Medical Treatment
• If it’s an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care.
• In the first 28 days after your injury, your employer can require you to see a doctor they choose. After that, you can switch to your own doctor, but you must give the employer notice of the change.
• Make sure your medical records clearly connect the injury to your job.

3. Keep Detailed Records
• Write down dates, times, witnesses, and symptoms.
• Save copies of all medical reports, bills, and correspondence from your employer or insurance company.
• Document any work restrictions from your doctor.

Our office is able to answer any questions you have and provide guidance for anything workers' compensation related.

08/22/2025

Why the System Feels Stacked Against Injured Workers:

Michigan’s workers’ compensation system was supposed to protect people hurt on the job. But over the years, lawmakers have made changes that make it harder for workers to get and keep the benefits they deserve.

Insurance companies and big employers know the rules inside and out. They pick the first doctor you see, send you to “independent” exams with doctors they hire, and use legal loopholes to cut off your checks — sometimes by claiming you could work a job that doesn’t even exist.

Meanwhile, you’re stuck without a paycheck, dealing with pain, and buried in paperwork. The truth is, the system favors those with money and time to fight. That’s why having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side can be the difference between losing everything and getting what you’re entitled to.