Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

All employers with at least one part-time or full-time employee must carry valid Workers’ Compensation coverage. Employers are responsible for reporting all accidents to their insurance company in a timely manner. Employees are responsible for reporting accidents to their employers and filing the provided claim paperwork.

Maryland has complex Workers’ Compensation laws, and insurance companies may not always prioritize their beneficiaries’ best interests. If you suffer an injury or illness while on the job in Maryland, consider reaching out to a qualified Workers’ Compensation attorney. An attorney may help you determine eligibility, file a completed claim, and expedite the compensation process. If your employer or insurance provider fails to adhere to state laws regarding employee rights to compensation, an attorney may also play an integral role in holding those parties accountable. Under a Workers’ Compensation policy, employees may have access to benefits in the form of weekly wages, medical benefits, income reimbursement benefits, and workplace rehabilitation benefits.

Speak to our Workers’ Compensation lawyers to schedule a case evaluation at no cost by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Statistics on Workplace Accidents in Maryland

At the state level, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission handled 23,711 filed claims during 2015. Out of those, the commission only disallowed 584 claims. Some of the top industries for filing Workers’ Compensation claims include police/security, hospital employees, colleges, and schools. Most disability benefits go to serve those who suffer injuries to the back, shoulders, and knees.

Workplace injuries happen daily, and many injured workers qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits. Our Workers’ Compensation attorneys will assist you in exploring your options and filing a claim so you can begin collecting benefits as soon as possible.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Maryland

A Workers’ Compensation claim is designed to protect workers who are injured on the job. It allows those employees the option to file for compensation and reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages due to the injury they received at work.

An employee can file for two different forms of Workers’ Compensation. The first is an occupational claim, and the second is an accident claim. It’s important to understand the differences in each of these claims.

Occupational Claims

An occupational claim describes an illness or injury that occurred because of the nature of the job. In these claims, there was not a specific incident that led to an injury. For example, a person who suffers from a neck injury after lifting heavy cargo for many years could be eligible for occupational Workers’ Compensation.

Claimants who experience occupational injuries tend to acquire these injuries over a period of time. Many such injuries are related to repetitive physical movements. If you work in construction, you might injure your back or shoulder from repeatedly raising heavy objects like sledgehammers over your head.

Occupational injuries are not only associated with jobs that are more physically demanding. People who work desk jobs could also experience occupational injuries. Carpal tunnel from constant typing at a computer is a common occupational injury.

Accident Claims

An accident claim is what most people probably associate with Workers’ Compensation. This type of claim relates to an injury resulting from an unexpected accident or event. For example, a worker who falls off a ladder while fixing a window on a tall building could be eligible for an accident claim.

Accidents do not have to be huge disasters for an injured employee to be eligible for Workers’ Compensation. A worker who badly slices their finger on a paper cutter in an office could also claim Workers’ Compensation for their accident if the injury prevents them from working.

Fault is usually not a determining factor in accident claims, barring special circumstances. You could be partially or totally responsible for the accident that caused your injuries and still be eligible for a Workers’ Compensation claim. However, an injured worker may not be eligible if they purposefully caused the accident in the hopes of collecting a payout.

What Injuries Will Workers’ Compensation Cover in Maryland?

The State of Maryland covers some but not all workplace injuries. Whether certain injuries are covered oftentimes comes down to evaluating the source of the injury. The Workers’ Compensation laws in Maryland state that the injury must arise during the course of employment. Simply put, you must be injured while performing tasks directly related to the job you were hired to do.

Construction Accidents

Workers on construction sites are at a particularly high risk of accidents and injuries, given the hazardous nature of the job. Some of the most commonly claimed construction accidents in Workers’ Compensation cases are falling injuries. A fall from some high scaffolding, ladders, rooftops, or other places where construction workers are high above the ground could leave someone too injured to return to work.

Defective power tools and equipment are another common cause of construction accidents. Power tools are dangerous if they are not functioning properly. A tool damaged after leaving the manufacturer or designed so poorly that it cannot function safely is a big problem for construction workers. In such cases, you can file a Workers’ Compensation claim and a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the defective tools.

Crushing accidents are also serious causes of concern in construction accidents. These accidents, sometimes called caught-betweens, happen when a worker is accidentally stuck or wedged between heavy objects. The worker might be painfully squeezed or crushed, leading to traumatic injuries.

Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident might happen almost anywhere, but they frequently occur when people are at work. Many such accidents involve wet floors, uncleaned messes, and hazards that were not properly removed. If you slip and fall at work, you might be eligible for a Workers’ Compensation claim.

These types of accidents could happen in various workplaces and might strike anywhere, including hallways, stairs, offices, elevators, and other places where you work. Although people might disregard these accidents, they can lead to severe injuries that leave you unable to work.

Burns or Injuries From Fire and Explosions

Although fires and explosions are not quite as common as more run-of-the-mill accidents, they are still possible and incredibly dangerous. No matter where you work, faulty or old wiring could cause an electrical fire, and you and other workers could be seriously burned.

If you use tools or equipment that heat up as part of your job, the risk of severe burns is much greater. For example, people who work in kitchens might be badly burned while cooking. If your work with hot tools, like a welder, you might also be badly injured if your equipment does not work properly.

Explosions are a serious risk for people who work in demolition. Explosives are common in this industry, and you could be injured if a demolition project goes wrong. Another possibility is that a gas leak or other flammable substances accidentally ignite, causing an explosion at your workplace. Not only are these accidents worthy of a Workers’ Compensation claim, but they are serious emergencies and should be dealt with immediately.

Injuries From Dangerous Equipment

As discussed briefly before, dangerous or unsafe equipment is a significant cause of many workplace accidents and injuries. People in the construction field rely on complicated power tools and heavy machinery to do their jobs. If these tools and equipment malfunction, an accident is more likely.

Other kinds of workers also rely on powerful tools, and they are also at risk for serious injuries leaving them unable to work. People who work in factories, as auto mechanics, and in the trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters) might file a Workers’ Compensation claim after being hurt by a tool.

Injuries From Repeated, Hard Motion

Not every injury stems from a single accident or incident. Often, injuries creep up on us, and we do not realize how badly injured we are until the pain is too much to ignore. If your job requires you to perform repetitive physical tasks every day, you might experience injuries over time.

A common example of such injuries is damage from repeated heavy lifting. If you have to lift heavy objects as part of your job, you might experience pain or injuries in your back, shoulders, and other parts of your body. Serious injuries that prevent you from working might arise after months or even years of working.

What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation in Maryland?

Whether an accident leads to a minor injury or a long-term physical impairment, Workers’ Compensation in the State of Maryland acts as financial protection to help people injured at work while performing their job. The scope and severity of your injury will determine the benefits you receive. This is typically decided by the amount of time you’ll need to take off from work (and subsequently, miss out on earnings).

Short-Term Temporary Benefits

In the case of a minor injury that requires you to miss 14 or more days of work, you can receive Temporary Total Disability benefits while you are recovering.

These benefits are set up to help you get back on your feet in a short period of time. With this type of assistance, you can be eligible to receive compensation for both medical bills and lost income during your time off work.

In the event that your injury doesn’t take the full 14 days to heal, you might only be compensated for medical expenses. Temporary benefits will cease once you can return to work or when a medical professional determines that they have done all they can to treat your injuries and you are no longer improving.

Workers’ Compensation Long-Term Benefits

When you are injured, the goal is always to work for a quick and full recovery. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If you need ongoing medical treatment for an occupational injury, you might be eligible to receive long-term benefits from a Workers’ Compensation claim. Some examples of treatment that might be covered include:

• Surgery and other medical treatments
• Medication
• Outpatient therapy
• Monitoring services or an in-home nurse
• Hospital visits and stays
• Prosthetics, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches
• Restorative procedures

Benefits for wage reimbursement is another aspect of a long-term Workers’ Compensation claim. If you are unable to work for an extended period of time, you should not have to suffer financially. A Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help you file for long-term disability and wage reimbursement. This would help you receive the same wages you earned before the accident.

Should I Hire a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

If you are so badly injured that you do not think you can continue to work, call a lawyer to help you with a Workers’ Compensation claim as soon as possible. An attorney in Maryland should be familiar with the state’s Workers’ Compensation system. This is important because each state might follow different rules and procedures regarding how to file and what kind of benefits you might receive.

Filing a claim can be complicated, and you need to provide the correct information about your injuries, employment, and earnings so that you get as much compensation as possible under the law. An attorney can help you maximize your benefits and avoid missing out on potential compensation.

One of the biggest ways a lawyer in Maryland can help is by litigating your case if your claim is denied. Not every claim for Workers’ Compensation is approved. You could be denied for filling out certain forms incorrectly or failing to provide key details. A lawyer can help you fix these mistakes or take the matter to court if necessary.

Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help

To schedule a free review of your case, call (410) 694-7291 and speak to our Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.