WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ATTORNEY IN MARYLAND
At the Gordon Law Firm, we are committed to helping Maryland workers navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation benefits. If you’ve been injured on the job or developed an occupational disease (e.g., hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome), understanding your rights and the benefits available to you is crucial. With significant experience in workers’ compensation law, our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you are entitled to.
Types of Workers' Compensation Benefits
In Maryland, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to support employees who suffer from job-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits include:
Medical Expenses:
Coverage for necessary medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications and rehabilitation services such as physical therapy. The goal is to ensure you receive the best care without bearing the financial burden of medical costs.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD):
If your injury prevents you from working, TTD benefits provide a portion of your lost wages during your recovery period. This benefit helps alleviate the financial strain while you focus on getting back to work.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):
For injuries that result in permanent impairments but allow you to continue working, PPD benefits offer compensation based on the severity of your disability and its impact on your ability to work.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD):
If your injury leaves you permanently unable to perform any work, PTD benefits provide ongoing financial support for life to replace lost income.
Vocational Rehabilitation:
If your injury requires you to change careers or undergo retraining, vocational rehabilitation benefits help cover the costs associated with finding new employment or acquiring new skills.
Navigating the Claims Process
Securing the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve can be a challenging and intricate process. From filing your initial claim to appealing denied claims, every step requires careful attention to detail. We are here to advocate for your rights, ensuring your claim is properly filed and thoroughly documented. We work closely with you to gather the necessary evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and handle all legal matters so you can focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been injured at work or are struggling with a work-related illness, don’t navigate this complex process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us put our extensive experience to work for you, helping you secure the workers’ compensation benefits you need to recover and move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
I injured myself at work. Now what?
The first step is to immediately report the work-related injury to your employer. Oftentimes an employer’s insurance company will attempt to deny a workers’ compensation claim if the employer was not notified of the incident.
Once reported, many companies will request that the employee fill out an incident report to get document the date and time of the injury, where it occurred and how it happened, among other things.
If your employer does not have you fill out an incident report, take note of the details of the workplace injury including any witnesses and who you reported it to afterwards.
It is important to note that filling out an incident report is NOT the equivalent of filing a workers’ comp claim. You still need to file a claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission to be eligible for full benefits under state law. An attorney can file this on your behalf if you secure legal representation.
Who pays for my medical treatment?
The employer’s insurance company is responsible for all medical bills related to your claim. You have a right to treat with any medical professional, provided they accept workers’ compensation insurance.
Insurance companies will oftentimes deny medical care if they feel it is not reasonable, necessary or related to the accidental injury. This most frequently occurs in cases involving more serious injuries where surgery or pain management is recommended. These issues are typically addressed in court where you’ll need an experienced attorney to advocate on your behalf.
How quickly will I be paid if I am unable to work, and how much?
Injured workers are entitled to receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits while recovering if they are unable to work. Assuming the insurance company accepts the claim, the benefits could start immediately without any interruption in your pay. The insurance company will usually require medical records and/or disability slips prior to paying.
Temporary total disability benefits are generally paid at two-thirds of your “average weekly wage.” This figure is calculated by averaging the amount you earned over the 13 weeks prior to your injury or disablement date. If you work for the state of Maryland or a municipality, you may receive accident leave instead of TTD.
What is my workers’ comp case worth?
There are many variables to consider when evaluating workers’ compensation cases. These include the severity of the injury, nature of medical treatment, extent of any permanent impairment, ability (or inability) to return to work, loss of wage-earning capacity and potential for future medical treatment.
Each case is unique and evaluated on an individual basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Will I have to go to court?
We resolve many workers’ compensation claims without needing the injured employee to come to court. With years of experience on our side, we routinely successfully negotiate with insurance companies to resolve claims that maximize workers’ comp benefits in your best interests.
However, if the insurance company has denied the claim, refuses to pay for medical treatment or offers less than we believe your case is worth, we will most likely need you to come to court. Rest assured that you will have spoken with an experienced workers’ comp attorney in advance so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
