Maryland Workers Compensation Law: What You Need to Know
March 9 2023
In Maryland, employers must provide workers’ compensation for employees who suffer job-related illness or injuries. Claimants are entitled to medical and disability benefits, as well as potential rehabilitation and death benefits.
Overview of the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law
The Maryland Workersâ Compensation Law (WC Law) provides important protections for injured employees in the state. The law sets out an administrative system that is designed to let employees quickly receive necessary medical care and wage replacement without having to go through a long and costly court process to get a settlement. In addition, employers are provided protection from lawsuits by injured workers and their families.
The WC Law requires employers to provide coverage under workersâ compensation insurance for injuries or illnesses that are causally related to the employeeâs job. Generally, if an employee is injured on the job, has a pre-existing injury that is aggravated by his or her job duties, or develops a disease due to his or her work environment, then he or she may qualify for benefits under the WC Law. Benefits typically include medical expenses related to the condition, as well as wage-replacement payments when the employee cannot return to work while his or her injury heals.
An important point of debate related to the WC Law is that employers must pay into a fund which eventually pays out benefits to eligible employees, but they are not required to prove fault on behalf of any party in order for an injured employee to receive benefits. This is sometimes viewed as unfair because it means employers may end up paying out benefits even if they were not negligent or directly responsible for the injury in question. On the other hand, advocates of this system view it as fair because it gives employees speedy access to benefits and eliminates years of time and expense associated with court proceedings and litigation in such cases.
Now that you have a basic overview of Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law, let’s turn our focus to the coverage and eligibility requirements associated with this important area of legal protection for employees in the state.
- The Workers’ Compensation Act of Maryland requires employers to provide disability benefits and medical care costs to employees who sustain workplace injuries or occupational diseases arising out of, or connection with, their job.
- According to a report in 2017, approximately 38% of all reported workplace injuries in Maryland were caused by falls, slips, and trips.
- According to the same study in 2017, over 11% of all Maryland workplace injuries resulted in more than 7 days away from work.
Coverage and Eligibility Requirements
Under Maryland Workers Compensation Law, employers are required to carry insurance covering their employees in the event of a work-related injury or illness. Coverage and eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of employer and size of the workforce. Every employer is legally obligated to have workers compensation coverage for their employees, with some exceptions.
For example, certain agricultural workers may be exempt from coverage if they only work part time or on a seasonal basis. In cases where a state law does not exist, federal laws regarding workers compensation coverage provide an additional layer of protection for employers. However, the federal laws provide less protection than those set forth by the state of Maryland.
In addition to covering industrial and occupational injuries or illnesses, Maryland Workers Compensation Law also provides benefits for diseases resulting from hazardous exposures in the workplace such as exposure to toxic chemicals or materials. Eligibility requirements include individuals who sustain an accident on-the-job, occupational disease due to workplace conditions, or an illness caused by process or substances used in the course of employment.
Ultimately, employers must comply with all of the stateâs regulations and carry adequate workers compensation insurance coverage for their employees in order to protect both parties in case of an injury or illness that arises out of the scope of work duties. It is important to note that many employers are unaware of their legal obligations under Maryland Workers Compensation Law and fail to provide adequate protection for their staff against workplace accidents and illnesses.
Though most employers comply with the lawâs standards, there are unfortunately some instances where businesses do not follow the rules regarding worker’s rights and protection against physical and psychological harm which can result from working conditions. Thus, it is essential that all employers be up to date with their compliance requirements in order to ensure employee safety at all times.
The next section will discuss Benefits and Payments associated with Maryland Workers Compensation Law.
Benefits and Payments
Under Marylandâs Workers Compensation laws, injured employees may be eligible to receive a number of benefits and payments. These include medical coverage for necessary care to treat the injury, disability benefits depending on the severity of the injury suffered, and possibly even death benefits in the event of an employeeâs death due to an injury or illness sustained on the job.
Medical Benefits: All necessary medical treatment related to the injury must be covered by an employer’s workers compensation insurance plan. This includes medically approved visits to doctors and specialists, hospital stays, physical therapy, and medication. Benefits will be provided as long as needed for healing and recovery; however, employers do not have to pay for more costly alternatives for care if a less expensive form of care is available and provides equal benefit.
Disability Payments: An injured employee may receive some form of temporary or permanent disability payment until they are able to return to work or in cases where the injury prevents them from returning to their previous job duties at all. The amount of this payment will depend on the type of disability, how it affects their ability to work and their earning capacity in general. However, overall payments for any type of disability cannot exceed 500 weeks over an individualâs lifetime. Also, any time spent away from work as a result of an illness or injury must be compensated with at least 70% of their regular pay rate up to a certain amount.
Death Benefits: If an employee dies due to an illness or injury sustained while doing their job, their living family members may collect death benefits through their employerâs workers compensation insurance plan. Generally speaking, these benefits will provide financial support for a period of 500 weeks and may include funeral expenses up to $5,000.
Though most employers comply with Maryland Workers Compensation law diligently, there are always those who may try to take advantage of loopholes or otherwise attempt to limit what is owed and paid out for these types of claims. It is important that both employers and employees understand the law so that ethical practices can be followed.
The next section will discuss the rights of injured employees under Maryland law and how it relates to filing a claim via workers compensation insurance plan.
Rights of Injured Employees Under Maryland Law
Under Maryland law, employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness have certain rights. Most notably, injured parties are entitled to receive medical benefits and wage replacement for time off under the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act. Depending on the nature of the injury or illness, the employee may also be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and a lump sum payment to cover permanent physical impairment or disfigurement.
Injured employees are entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, known as a â109Bâ form, with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC). The WCC, in turn, is responsible for determining whether or not the employee is lawfully eligible for such benefits after considering all available evidence. In most cases, employers must bear at least some financial responsibility if they fail to properly report an incident or contest an employee’s 109B claim.
It is important to note that there are times when employers can refuse to pay for certain injuries or illnesses. For example, if it can be proven that an employee was intoxicated or recklessly disregarding safety instructions at the time of the incident, then their employer may not be held liable for damages. This defense can also apply in certainsituations where employers are not able to reasonably provide workers with safe working conditions despite taking appropriate safety measures.
Still other types of casesâsuch as those involving claims of intentional tortsâmay be more controversial and may require further legal review before reaching a conclusion regarding liability. Ultimately, due process of law should be respected when settling any dispute involving Maryland workers’ compensation rights.
At this point, it is important to discuss employersâ rights under Maryland law in order to gain a better understanding of how workerâs compensation claims are handled within this jurisdiction.
Employersâ Rights Under Maryland Law
When a worker is injured on the job in Maryland, the workersâ compensation law provides employers with both the right to require the employee to follow certain steps and the right to reject or challenge a claim. It is up to employers to determine whether they are legally required to provide workersâ compensation benefits or if they would rather attempt to dispute any claims made by their employees.
With regard to requiring certain steps, employers are within their rights to set expectations and procedures for their employees who wish to file a claim under workers’ compensation laws in Maryland. As an example, employers may require that employees submit written notice of any injuries obtained on the job. Additionally, employers can also request medical documentation related to an injury before approving an employee’s claim for benefits.
Employers also have certain rights when it comes to disagreeing with an employee’s claim. In this case, employers reserve the right to challenge or reject any claims that they deem invalid due to lack of evidence or other reasons. For example, if an employer believes that an injury sustained by an employee is not work-related, then they have the right to refuse payment of benefits for that injury.
Due to the complexity of workers’ compensation laws in Maryland, employers often seek assistance from legal experts when considering what steps are best suited for their particular situation. Regardless of their decision, though, employers must take into account all applicable state regulations while ensuring compliance with federal laws at all times.
With this in mind, it is important for employers to maintain a comprehensive understanding of their rights under Marylandâs workersâ compensation laws. With such knowledge in hand, employers can be confident in both considering and responding appropriately when facing a claim made by one of their employees. The next section will focus on legal options available for obtaining workers’ compensation in Maryland.
Legal Process for Obtaining Compensation
The legal process for obtaining compensation as outlined by Maryland workers’ compensation law is increasingly complex, and it can be difficult to make sense of the various rights and responsibilities that employees have throughout the claims process.
In order to obtain an award of compensation, a claimant must file a workers’ comp claim with the appropriate agency in their jurisdiction. This includes completing an initial claim form which identifies the employee’s injury or illness and the employer who allegedly caused the injury. Once submitted, a worker has the right to request an independent medical examination from an approved physician. The purpose of this is to determine if the injured party is entitled to receive benefits based on the evaluation of their medical records and other given information.
If a claim is accepted by workers’ comp, claimants are eligible for payments for lost wages or wages at reduced levels due to occupational injury or illness. They may also be entitled to medical benefits such as doctors’ visits, hospital stays, physical therapy and other treatments. In some cases, claimants may also receive payment for a permanent impairment or disfigurement resulting from workplace injury or illness.
Prior to receiving any compensation related to workers’ comp claims, an injured worker must have his or her application reviewed by departmental staff in order to ensure all statutory requirements have been met and all relevant documentary evidence has been provided. Employers may contest certain elements in a claim, including factual evidence presented in support of the injured partyâs contention that they are owed benefits, so proceeding through this process may require several rounds of negotiations. Furthermore, any denied claims may be appealed within 30 days should further action be deemed necessary.
Legal challenges related to workers’ comp can be lengthy and arduous for both employers and employees alike. Therefore, it is important for everyone involved in making a workers’ comp claim to understand his or her legal rights before pursuing any potential awards of compensation for workplace injuries or illnesses. With this knowledge in hand, those who are considering filing a claim can move forward with greater confidence knowing their possible outcomes and consequences if issues arise during proceedings.
The next section will discuss claims and statutory requirements in more detail, outlining key points that claimants need to consider when pursuing an award under Maryland workersâ compensation law.
Claims and Statutory Requirements Described
The Maryland Workersâ Compensation Law outlines specific procedures for making and processing claims. The employees must file their injury claim either directly with the Workersâ Compensation Commission or through their employer. In filing a claim, they must demonstrate that they have met certain statutory requirements invoked by the law in order to be eligible for benefits.
One such requirement is that the employee must provide evidence of having suffered an injury while performing job-related duties, or that they developed an occupational illness associated with their professional activity. Employees who can demonstrate this will be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses related to injuries and illnesses, as well as for wages lost due to treatment or missed work days. The injured employee may also receive temporary partial disability benefits if their injury has temporarily hindered their ability to earn wages at the same level prior to injury.
The statutory requirements are designed to protect both employers and employees from untruthful claims of workplace injuries being made. While there is some debate around the issue of unfairly denying valid claims due to overzealous adherence to strict qualifications, in general, claimants are held to a high standard of proof about both the relationship between their job activities and their medical condition, as well as other details about the case. This ensures that all decisions rendered by the commission are fair and just to both employees and employers.
Although there are restrictions around what can be identified as job-related injuries and how these cases should be proven, those with legitimate claims are still able to take advantage of the protections afforded by Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law. The next section will explore how these claimants benefit from maximum benefits under this law.
Maximum Benefits of Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law
In the state of Maryland, workersâ compensation law offers some of the most generous benefits in the country. Depending on the severity of an employee’s injury or illness, they can receive significant financial assistance to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other necessary expenses associated with their recovery. It is important to understand what maximum benefits are available under Maryland workersâ compensation law so you understand all potential legal remedies if you become injured or ill while on the job.
Medical Benefits
One major benefit provided by Maryland workersâ compensation law is coverage for medical costs related to an injury or illness that was sustained while performing job duties. This includes any medical equipment or treatment necessary for recovery such as physical therapy, surgeries, medications, and more. When a worker files a claim with the Workerâs Compensation Commission, they can receive reimbursement for these expenses up to $2600 per visit if approved. There is no cap on overall benefits payout under this program; however, employers may require that claimants use certain providers for their treatments and services.
Lost Wages
Workers’ compensation laws also provide temporary disability payments for employees who canât return to work due to an injury or illness resulting from their job duties. Generally, these benefits begin after a seven-day waiting period, but payments may not be made until after 14 days have passed after filing a claim. Employees may receive a percentage of their wages up to two-thirds of their average weekly salary over a 52-week period capped at $1000 per week in 2020; however, benefits can vary depending on an individualâs specific circumstances and income level prior to the injury. In cases where an employee has returned to work but isnât able to perform all the same duties they did prior to the accident due to their injury, they may be eligible for partial disability payments as well.
Death Benefits
If an employee is killed due occupational injury or illness in Maryland, many dependents are entitled to payouts through death benefits claims as outlined in workersâ compensation law. In many cases these include funeral expenses such as memorial services costs and burial fees up to $7500; however, beneficiaries will likely need to file additional claims through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs for further financial assistance after receiving approval from the Workerâs Compensation Commission. Furthermore spouses may be eligible for weekly payments for a set time frame depending on certain factors such as age at time of death and length of marriage prior; however, arguments can be made from both sides regarding marriage duration before death when calculating death benefit payouts.
Overall maximum benefits provided by Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law can vary greatly from case to case depending on many different factors including job status prior to the injury/illness and type of medical treatments required for recovery so it is important for employees understand all legal options before proceeding with any type of claim filing.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Are there any limitations to workers compensation benefits in Maryland?
Yes, there are certain limitations to workers compensation benefits in Maryland. Under the Maryland Workers Compensation Act, injured workers can only receive compensation for a period of up to 300 weeks. The amount of compensation depends on the average weekly wages of the worker prior to their injury. Additionally, employees can only receive up to $1050 per week while they are unable to work, so long as that amount is within two thirds of their average weekly wage. Furthermore, all medical services must be approved by the Workersâ Compensation Commission and must fall under a pre-approved list of providers. Lastly, workers compensation does not cover punitive damages or non-economic losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish and other intangible losses.
How is workers compensation calculated in Maryland?
In Maryland, workersâ compensation is calculated according to the severity of the injury or illness in question. Generally speaking, it takes into consideration a combination of factors such as the type of injury or illness, medical/hospital costs, lost wages and disability benefits. For example, if an employee has suffered a broken arm due to a workplace accident, they will receive compensation based on their medical bills and lost wages during their period of disability. Similarly, if an employee has been diagnosed with a permanent impairment due to an occupational illness or injury (such as asbestos-related disease), they may receive long-term benefits that are based on the degree of their disability and how it affects their ability to work. In addition, death benefits are available for surviving family members in the event of an employeeâs death due to a workplace injury or illness.
What rights do injured workers have under Maryland’s workers compensation laws?
Under Maryland’s workers compensation laws, injured workers have the right to receive financial compensation for medical expenses related to the injury and lost wages due to their inability to work. They are also entitled to compensation for permanent impairments caused by their injury and may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services. Furthermore, they are protected from retaliation or termination due to filing a workers compensation claim. In addition, injured workers have the right to a fair hearing before an administrative judge if their claim is denied or modified. All of these rights are established under Maryland’s Workers Compensation law in order to ensure that employees receive fair treatment after suffering work-related injuries.