- Workers' Compensation Claims
Chapter 13: Award of Compensation
The Award of Compensation is an automatic award of workers’ compensation benefits that the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) approves when a claim is not initially challenged by the employer or the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The auto award is generated once the deadline passes for the workers’ compensation carrier to challenge your claim on certain issues.
It is important to remember that the automatic award is not a final decision by the WCC. The worker’s comp insurance carrier may still challenge several issues related to your claim. For example, the insurance provider may challenge a certain medical procedure claiming that the procedure is not reasonable and necessary. The insurance carrier could challenge compensation payments and findings of permanent disability.
Another important fact to keep in mind is that the amount of the automatic award is typically not accurate. The amount of the award is based on the information filed with the initial claim. The exact average weekly wage and other factors must be considered before a final award of compensation can be issued by the WCC. The automatic award is more of a formality when the workers’ compensation insurance carrier does not file an initial objection to your workers’ comp claim.
If you have questions about auto comp or auto awards, you can talk to a member of our Pinder Plotkin legal team by calling 410-525-5337.
Check out more information in these relevant blog posts:
Chapter 12 – What is the Subsequent Injury Fund
Chapter 11 – Workers’ Comp Claims with Uninsured Employers
Chapter 10 – When Is Vocational Rehabilitation Approved in a Workers’ Comp Case
Chapter 9 – What is a Functional Capacity Exam
Chapter 7 – What is Meant by Accidental Injury for a Workers’ Comp Claim
Chapter 6 – How Are Medical Providers Paid for Workers’ Comp Claims in Maryland
Chapter 5 – How Do I Get Paid for My Workers’ Compensation Claim
Chapter 4 – Your Right to Medical Treatment After a Workplace Injury
Chapter 3 – How Do I Report an Injury at Work?
Chapter 2 – Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Maryland?
