Maryland Workers Compensation Benefits
Filing a Maryland workers’ compensation claim can be a challenging process. If you have recently suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact Maryland workers’ compensation attorney John G. Turnball for a consultation. Attorney John Turnball has represented several Maryland residents throughout Howard, Baltimore, Hartford, and Ann Arundel County. Do not delay in contacting an attorney. Doing so may result in your claim be barred by the statute of limitations.
The severity of your injuries will determine the potential benefits you may receive. Attorney John Turnball can provide you with a free estimate of potential benefits you may be entitled to. Read on to learn more about Maryland workers’ compensation benefits and how attorney John Turnball can help you.
Maryland Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness in Maryland, you may be able to obtain temporary total disability benefits. This type of benefit is often provided to an employee during their “healing period.” There are certain restrictions on the amount of payment an employee may receive. For example, if a person is completely disabled and unable to work, he/she may receive temporary disability benefits. The employee can receive compensation for lost wages as a result of their injury. If an employee is deemed to be unable to work for a period of 14 days or less, then compensation benefit payments will not be allowed for the first three (3) days of disablement. If the period of disability will last longer than 14 calendar days, then the employee will be able to obtain compensation starting the first day.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Temporary partial disability benefits are provided to workers’ compensation claimants who are not totally unable to work. Typically, the claimant is still capable of performing limited or part-time duties. An employer is required to pay a claimant 50% of the difference between their average weekly wage and the wage earning capacity of an disabled employee in the same or other reemployment temporarily partially disabled. The maximum payment is 50% of the state average weekly wage.
The Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) calculates the “average Maryland weekly wage.” Employees can expect to receive at minimum $50 per week.
The chief purpose of temporary total disability benefits it to put the claimant in a position he/she would have been in had the injury not occurred. This includes replacing the injured employee’s salary in part, paying for related medical expenses, and any additional expenses arising from the injury. Injured employees receiving partial disability benefits must obtain medical clearance to return back to work.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
In certain situations, an employee may become permanently totally disabled due to a work-related injury or illness. For examples, the following type of injuries may constitute a permanent total disability:
- Arms, hands, and feet amputation
- Eye-sight injury causing loss of vision
- Leg injury
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
Employees who suffer a permanent partial disability are able to collect a minimum of $50.00 per week. State statute determines the duration of payments. The payment duration will depend on the severity of the body part injured. For example, in Maryland, if an employee was to lose their thumb at work, they could expect to receive partial disability payments for a period of 100 weeks. However, the use of an index or ring finger can potentially result in payments up to 25 weeks. Once the designated payment period cease, the weekly payments will as well.
Permanent Total Disability
If a covered employee suffers a permanent total disability, the employee shall receive compensation that is equal to two-thirds of his/her average weekly wage paid either by their employer or its insurer.
Permanent total disability payments are subject to an 5% yearly cost of living adjustment.
Medical and Hospitalization Benefits
In additional to disability benefits that compensate for lost wages, and employer must also pay an employee’s medical related expenses. For example, the following types of medical related treatments/expenses shall be promptly paid by an employer or its insurer:
- Hospital and nursing services
- Medicine treatment
- Crutches, wheelchairs, and other apparatus
- Artificial arms, legs, arms, and fee, and other prosthetic appliances
Medical expenses may be paid indefinitely by an employer or insurer. Sufficient evidence must be presented to show that the need for paying medical related expenses is reasonable, necessary, and casually related to the work-related injury or illness.
Wage Reimbursement Benefits
Employers and their insurers are also required to reimburse employees for time spent being examined by a physician upon the employer’s request. This includes time spent traveling to-and-from Commission hearings as well.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
In certain situations, an employee may suffer a work-related injury that results in him/her being unable to perform existing job related duties in which he/she was previously capable of performing. When this occurs, the covered employee can obtain vocational rehabilitation services. Such services include the following:
- Coordination of medical services
- Vocational assessments
- Vocational evaluations
- Vocational counseling
- Vocational rehabilitation plan development
- Vocational rehabilitee plan monitoring
- Vocational rehabilitation training
- Job development
- Job placement
Death and Funeral Benefits
In the event your loved one has passed away due to a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to death and funeral benefits. You must assert evidence that demonstrates the need for such services and that it is reasonable, necessary, and casually related to the work-related injury or illness.
Hire Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney John G. Turnball
Attorney John G. Turnball can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact him in confidence to schedule a consultation. If you delay in filing your claim, you can reduce your chances of recovering any benefits.