American business owners try to keep their workplaces safe. So, they employ several means to guarantee the safety and security of their employees. Unfortunately, despite these steps, there’s still a high rate of on-the-job accidents. Therefore, Baltimore work injury attorneys help injured employees obtain compensation for their wounds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 888,220 non-fatal work injuries in 2019. The following year, there were 4,764 fatal workplace injuries. When these job-related accidents occur, it usually means the employee cannot work for a while.

Staying out of work means that employees will have financial troubles, though. Furthermore, they may be unable to afford their medical bills. That’s why Maryland law established the workers’ compensation system. Therefore, suppose you get into a work-related accident. Then, it’ll be best to hire a Baltimore work injury lawyer.

What Is Workers’ Compensation in Baltimore, Maryland?

Firstly, workers’ compensation is a form of insurance. Maryland law demands that employers purchase this insurance for their workers. Therefore, the policy covers wounded or sick employees. Workers’ comp pays part of an injured employee’s wages. It covers expenses like medical bills.

So, Baltimore workers don’t have to face financial ruin because of work-related accidents. Notably, workers’ compensation doesn’t just protect employees wounded at work. Instead, employees suffering from occupational diseases can also benefit from this coverage. Beneficiaries of insurance policies usually contribute to the premiums.

However, employees don’t have to pay workers’ comp insurance premiums. Their employers wholly bear this burden. So, once a worker suffers a work-related injury, they just have to make a claim. Then, the business owner may conduct an investigation. An inquiry merely confirms whether the injury is work-related. If it is, the insurance carrier will pay the claim.

Must All Baltimore Employers Purchase Workers’ Comp Insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance is vital for all employers. Unfortunately, many employers avoid purchasing workers’ comp policies. Sometimes, they claim that the law doesn’t mandate workers’ comp. The employer may be right. However, they may also be lying.

That’s why it’s vital to know the position of the law. The reality is that Maryland law mandates most employers to carry workers’ comp insurance as long as they have an employee. In addition, workers’ comp applies to both full-time and part-time workers.

Exceptions to Maryland Workers’ Compensation

Notably, there’s an exception for agricultural employers. Therefore, an agricultural company may be exempted from work comp responsibilities. A Baltimore agricultural establishment will enjoy exemption where:

  • There are less than three employees
  • The annual payroll is less than $15,000

So, suppose your employer doesn’t fall into these exceptions. Then, they must purchase workers’ compensation coverage. Sole proprietorships and independent contractors mustn’t have workers’ comp, though.

What Should I Do After a Work-Related Accident?

Knowing what to do after a Baltimore job accident is vital. Your next steps after a mishap can affect your right to compensation. So, suppose you survive a work-related accident. Then, you have to report this injury to your employer. You must also notify your employer where it’s an occupational disease.

You have ten days to report this work accident. Your time starts counting from the accident date. Where it’s an occupational disease, you have one year. The deadline is thirty days if the accident kills the employee. Here, the deceased’s family must file the report.

If you disregard this timeline, you may lose your right to comp benefits. That’s why it’s best to report your injury immediately. Even if you can’t file a report personally, you can send a relative.

Contents of a Baltimore Work Injury Notification

You are to notify your employer of your injury in writing. Therefore, a written notice of the wound should contain relevant data. Some of them include:

  • Your name and address
  • The date of the accident
  • Time and place of the job accident
  • The nature of the work injury
  • Cause of the job accident and injury

Finally, you must sign this injury notification. Conversely, a family member can sign on your behalf.

Recoverable Benefits in Baltimore Workers’ Compensation

Generally, you can recover medical and other benefits in a workers’ compensation claim. We explain the workers’ comp benefits below.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

Work accidents often mean employees can only handle part-time jobs. These part-time, light-duty tasks usually have lower pay too. So, workers’ comp pays temporary disability benefits during this period. The sum is 50% of the difference between the worker’s weekly wage and the new part-time wage.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

This type of compensation applies where the employee cannot return to work. It’s two-thirds of the wounded worker’s average weekly wage.

Workers' compensation in Baltimore

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

Work-related accidents can be so near-fatal that they leave employees permanently and totally disabled. In such cases, they’ll be perpetually entitled to disability benefits.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

This applies to injuries causing permanent impairment, but not a permanent disability.

Medical Bills

The cost of medical treatment is an essential part of workers’ comp benefits. It covers all reasonable expenses employees spend treating their injuries or occupational diseases. Medical benefits under Maryland workers’ comp include:

  • Cost of medical treatment
  • Hospital and nursing services
  • Surgical bills
  • Cost of medical equipment
  • Hospitalization fees
  • Cost of drugs
  • Artificial arms, feet, hands, legs, and other prosthetic

Wage Reimbursements

Wage reimbursements are important for injured employees. It covers the worker’s lost wages during their time away from work. The employer also pays for:

  • Attending or traveling to and from workers’ comp hearings; and
  • Being examined by a physician at the employer’s request.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

Job accidents or illnesses may leave an employee unable to perform their ordinary tasks. In such cases, vocational rehabilitation is necessary. It can help get the worker back to their previous capacity. Notably, rehabilitation can last for up to 24 months. The insurance carrier will cover the bills, though.

Vocational rehabilitation usually includes:

  • Vocational assessment
  • Vocational evaluation
  • Vocational counseling
  • Coordination of medical services
  • Vocational rehabilitation plan development and monitoring
  • Job development and placement

Death and Funeral Benefits

Family members can also get compensation for their loved one’s death. In addition, the employer will provide the funeral and burial expenses for the deceased worker.

Let the Best Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Help You!

Have you suffered a work-related accident in Baltimore? Or was it an occupational disease? Whatever the case, you may be eligible for compensation. First, however, you need the best legal team.

At Pinder Plotkin LLC, we have spent decades helping work injury victims. We’ve also dealt with unscrupulous Baltimore employers. It’ll be best to hire us for your workers’ compensation claim. So, call us today for a FREE consultation with a Baltimore personal injury lawyer.

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