When you are injured on the job in Annapolis, Maryland, you are entitled to recover medical expenses and permanent disability benefits related to your injuries through the worker’s compensation process. Many employees wrongly assume that if the worker’s comp insurance company accepts their claim, they will be compensated fully and in time.
But there are many instances where worker’s comp insurance companies have denied the rightful claims of employees. That is why you need to hire the best Annapolis workers’ compensation lawyer to handle your case and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
When you are looking for the best workers’ compensation lawyer in Annapolis, you don’t have to look further than Pinder Plotkin. Our team of expert workers’ compensation lawyers has handled hundreds of workers’ comp lawsuits. We are a trusted name when it comes to handling all types of personal injury cases including workers’ comp cases.
Call us today at (410) 525-5337 to let us handle your worker’s compensation case in Annapolis and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Workers’ Compensation Disputes
Employers in Maryland are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees if they are injured or fall ill on the job. Filing a worker’s compensation claim doesn’t automatically guarantee approval. There are many instances where the employer or his/her insurance company denies the employee’s claim citing numerous reasons. It could be due to human error or bad faith.
But you should be prepared to handle any denial of your claim by working with a reliable worker’s compensation lawyer in Annapolis. When your claim has been denied by either the employer or his/her insurance provider, you have the right to dispute the denial with the worker’s compensation board if you think the denial is by error or in bad faith.
Worker’s compensation claims can be denied due to numerous reasons. Listed below are some of the most common reasons why your workers’ comp claim can be denied by the employer or his/her insurance company:
- The insurance company may think that the injury or illness occurred outside the workplace.
- If you are not a permanent employee of the company or you are a subcontractor working for the company, you won’t be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
- The injury is caused by the worker’s own intoxication or is self-inflicted.
- The injury occurred out of a fight where the employee was the initial physical aggressor.
- The injury occurred due to the voluntary participation of the employee in off-duty social or recreational activities.
- The claim is filed after the notice of termination or layoff.
- The victim had a pre-existing condition.
- The injured employee doesn’t file the claim before the deadline.
- The claim form has inadequate information.
- The insurance provider becomes suspicious of some kind of fraud.
- The employee hasn’t been examined by the company doctor.
When your claim is disputed by either the employer or insurance provider, you should work with a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer in Annapolis to request a rehearing of your case. Our lawyers have experience in disputing workers’ comp claims with employers, insurance providers, and even courts. Our team will dispute your claim with the relevant authorities and help obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
What to Do if Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied in Annapolis?
If you receive a notice that your workers’ comp claim has been denied by the employer or his/her insurance company, your first step is to call or write to the employer’s worker’s compensation insurance provider. If this doesn’t help solve your problem, you should work with a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer in Annapolis to request a hearing with the state workers’ compensation board.
Hiring a reliable attorney improves your chances of receiving full benefits for your work-related injuries or illness. When you appeal the case with the state workers’ compensation board, a commissioner will evaluate your case and determine whether you are entitled to claim benefits under the insurance cover.
You should complete the “Issues Form” and submit it to the worker’s compensation board in a timely manner. You need to ask for a rehearing within 15 days of receiving the denial by submitting the form. A new hearing won’t be automatic because the commission will evaluate your case and decide whether to grant a rehearing or not. That is why you need to work with an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer at Pinder Plotkin Legal Team. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling denied claims and obtaining maximum benefits on behalf of their clients.
The Issues Form should highlight the issue/issues that you believe were wrongly denied by the employer or his/her insurance company. The commission will conduct an impartial trial where your employer and his/her insurance provider could present their side of the story. If the commission denies your claim once again, you can request another rehearing. But rehearings are granted only when the claimant has new evidence to prove the case. You have the right to dispute the commissioner’s denial by filing a notice of appeal in the circuit court.
Our lawyers can help devise the best legal strategies to fight your case in courts. We have handled hundreds of workers’ compensation disputes in Annapolis, MD. That is why you need to rely on our expert team to obtain the maximum benefits for your injuries. Call Pinder Plotkin Legal Team today at [phone] to represent your worker’s compensation lawsuit in Annapolis and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Disputes
Disputes between the parties involved in a worker’s compensation claim are quite common. Two of the most common workers’ comp disputes in Maryland include:
Medical Disputes
Medical disputes relate to the treatment of the injured worker. The injured employee can be denied surgery, physical therapy, home health & other assisted living arrangements, or specific medical supplies. A reliable worker’s comp lawyer can help speed up or resolve these types of disputes between the parties involved.
Claim Disputes
There are many types of claim disputes in worker’s comp cases. Some of the most common types of claim disputes include:
- Average weekly wage disputes
- Compensability – whether your claim meets the requirements to be eligible for coverage under workers’ comp insurance
- The extent of injury – Whether or not your work-related injury involves other parts of the body
- Disability – Whether your injury leads to partial or permanent disabilities
When your worker’s comp claim is disputed by the employer or his/her insurance company for whatever reason, you need to hire the best worker’s comp lawyer in Annapolis to handle your lawsuit and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Pinder Plotkin Legal Team is your best bet to win maximum compensation for your damages.
Workers’ Compensation Dispute and Appeals Process in Maryland
If you received a notice of dispute from Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Commission indicating the denial of your workers’ compensation benefits, you have the right to request a rehearing before the commission. You need to submit the Issues Form within 15 days by selecting the issue/issues that you believe was/were wrongly decided.
The form should be submitted to the commission as well as your employer or his/her insurance company. A commissioner will preside over your hearing and listen to both parties (you and your employer or his/her insurance company) before deciding what benefits you should receive.
If you are still not happy with the decision of the workers’ comp commission, you can appeal to the circuit court that is nearest to you within 30 days from the date of the decision. You need to file a Notice of Appeal for this purpose. Once you file the appeal, the court will notify the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Division that you have filed an appeal.
They will request a transcript of the Commission Hearing to proceed with your case. You can also directly notify the court reporter that a transcript is needed. In fact, your appeal cannot proceed without the transcript from the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Division.
You need to hire the best workers’ comp lawyer in Annapolis to handle your appeal and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
Contact Our Annapolis Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
When you are injured or fallen ill at the workplace, you are entitled to claim benefits under the workers’ compensation insurance system. Maryland’s worker’s comp system is quite complicated and requires professional assistance to obtain maximum benefits. You need to hire the best Annapolis workers’ compensation lawyer to handle your case and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Call Pinder Plotkin at (410) 525-5337 to represent your worker’s compensation lawsuit in Annapolis and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.