If you get into an accident during work hours and have injuries or illnesses, you should get
workers' compensation. It is a legal and essential requirement for every business with employees.
The 2010
Maryland Code for Labor and Employment defines workers’ compensation as the money payable as coverage to an employee. It includes the dependents of the employee. The coverage is for injuries, accidents, diseases, or work-related infections.
Every
employer should have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Providing this coverage protects the employees. It enables employers to comfortably compensate for workplace injuries, illnesses, or even death.
What Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Not all injuries suffered while at work will qualify for workers’ compensation. For an injury to qualify as a workplace injury, it must be accidental. It must occur during working hours, in the course of employment, or as a direct result of the job.
Typically, workers’ compensation covers the following:
- Loss of limb
- Illness resulting from the work environment
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Death
- Permanent impairment
- Liability insurance
Travelers conducted a study on over 1.5 million workers’ comp claims. They identified the following injuries as the most commonly filed for:
- Strains and sprains accounted for 30% of claims
- Cuts and punctures for 19%
- Inflammation was 5%
- Contusion was 12%
- Fractures were 5%
Types of Workers Compensation Benefits
Work-related injuries can take a huge financial toll on workers. Employees often fail to seek the full workers’ compensation benefit available to them. That’s why you need an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Workers’ compensation is in different categories, and it’s essential to understand what may be available for you. Possible workers compensation according to the law include:
- Medical benefits
- Wage loss reimbursement
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death and funeral benefits
- Partial permanent disability benefits
- Permanent total disability benefits
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Hernias
- Occupational deafness
- Permanent disability due in part to pre-existing illness or disease
The Time Limit for Filing Workers Compensation in Baltimore
An injured employee should notify the employer within ten days of such injury. After the notification, a claim is filed within 60 days of the injury or illness. According to the Statute of Limitations for Baltimore workers, the compensation claim should not exceed two years. It starts counting from the accident’s date.
Also, for wrongful death claims, the surviving family member has 18 months to apply for benefits for their loved one’s death. However, if death occurred due to workplace injuries, then the surviving family member has two years to file for benefits.
How Long Before I Can Collect Workers Compensation in Baltimore?
Workers’ compensation claims pass through specific processes before you can receive your first cheque. After filing your lawsuit with your employer and insurer, your employer has a 21-day to one month to reply.
After your employer has investigated your request, they can either accept or contest your claim. If your claim is accepted, payment commences. If your employer contests your claim, they will submit a Contesting Issues form to the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission.
You have to wait until the hearing to present your injuries and subsequent claims. During the hearing, you can submit evidence regarding illness or workplace injuries. The Commissioner then decides whether the Maryland Workers’ Compensation statute covers your injury or illness. You may or may not receive medical treatment for your injuries until the Commissioner comes to a decision. It can take as long as four months.
Why Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Not everyone who works for a particular employer will get compensated for injuries or illnesses. As an independent contractor, you may not have coverage for workplace injuries. Discuss your job policy, position, and the extent of your coverage, if any, with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
Also, wading through the complexities of filing or contesting workers’ compensation claims can be overwhelming. It would help if you got in touch with a seasoned Baltimore workers’ compensation attorney to get proper legal representation.
Specific injuries or illnesses can be so severe that the victims will be off work for a significant amount of time. Sometimes they may not return to the same job again. These kinds of injuries will require you to have a workers’ comp attorney to get adequate claims.
Pinder Plotkin LLC Can Help You!
Our attorneys at
Pinder Plotkin LLC have years of experience helping workers get the benefits they deserve. We will do all we can to ensure you do not get cheated. Contact us today for a free case review.
