How Long Will My Workers’ Compensation Benefits Last?

Workplace injuries can be devastating. They can result in many missed weeks, months, or even years of work while the injured employee is in recovery, and in particularly severe cases, the disabilities arising out of a workplace injury can be permanent. Depending on the type of permanent injury, the employee may be able to return to work in a limited capacity or perform a different job at some point in the future (typically with a partial disability), or the disability may be so severe that the injured employee is unable to work again.

Whether a workplace injury requires medical care and recovery for a number of weeks, or whether the injury results in a total permanent disability, how long will workers’ compensation benefits last? The specific details of a workplace injury will impact the duration of the benefits. Our Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys can explain in more detail.

Understanding Tiers of Compensation for Work Injuries 

The duration of your workers’ compensation benefits will depend in large part on the severity of your injury and how long you are expected to be away from work for medical care and recovery. Unlike many other states, Maryland classifies an injured worker’s circumstances and benefits duration based on a three-tier system. To be clear, the severity of your injuries and the time you are expected to be away from work will place you in Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3. Then, the tier your injury places you in will also impact the amount of your expected workers’ compensation benefit for wage loss. Here is how the tier system works in general:

• Tier 1: Your injury requires you to be away from work for fewer than 75 weeks (you will receive workers’ compensation benefits for the full time you are away from work — up to 74 weeks — and you will receive up to one-third of your average weekly wages);
• Tier 2: Your injury requires you to be away from work for anywhere from 75 to 249 weeks (you will receive workers’ compensation benefits for the full time you are away from work — up to 249 weeks — and you will receive up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages; and
• Tier 3: Your injury is expected to require you to be away from work for 250 weeks or more, or permanently (you can receive up to 75 percent of your average weekly wages, and you may be able to seek permanent disability benefits where the amount paid will depend on the body part injured and the severity of the injury).

Permanent Disability Benefits 

Permanent disability benefits are typically paid when a person experiences an injury that places them in Tier 3, and the amount depends on the severity of the permanent injury and the specific body part affected, as noted above. There is a lengthy schedule with the maximum duration of payments based on the body part, ranging from permanent disability in a toe to a permanent brain injury. A lawyer can discuss the specifics of your case with you and guide you to the appropriate body part on the schedule to estimate the likely duration of your permanent disability benefits.

Contact Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyers 

If you or someone you love recently sustained a serious workplace injury and you need assistance seeking workers’ compensation benefits or gaining a clearer understanding of what to expect when it comes to the duration of benefits, a lawyer can help. Do not hesitate to get in touch with an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC to discuss any questions you have and to seek legal assistance with your workers’ compensation claim. Contact us today to get started on your claim.

Source:

wcc.state.md.us/gen_info/wcc_benefits.html