Maryland Public Safety Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workplace injuries and occupational diseases are common in many market sectors, especially for public safety employees who encounter unique on-the-job hazards. You put your life and health on the line on a daily basis, all in the interests of serving the public. As such, Maryland workers’ compensation laws treat you slightly differently when you’re hurt or suffer from other medical conditions. You have an advantage under the workers’ comp system, both in filing a claim and in the benefits you receive.
However, to maximize these perks and get the optimal payouts available by law, it is important to retain a Maryland public safety workers’ compensation lawyer who can assist with the process. Our team at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC have experience and skills to guide you through the claims process. You can also read on for some basics about how the laws work.
Workers’ Comp Laws Apply to Public Safety Employees
Maryland’s workers’ comp system is designed to provide the financial support injured workers need to recover from their medical condition and get back to work. The laws cover public safety employees in the same way as other workers, which means you don’t need to prove fault to obtain benefits. Instead, you must file a qualifying claim with a workers’ compensation insurance company. You may be eligible if you suffer from an injury at work or an occupational disease that was a result of work-related conditions.
Depending on your circumstances, your workers’ compensation benefits may include:
- All medical costs for treating your injury or ailment, currently and in the future;
- Wage replacement for a portion of your average paycheck; and,
- Disability benefits, which are permanent or temporary in nature and apply to total or partial disabilities.
Eligibility Rules for Public Safety Workers
The difference comes in when you refer to the definition of public safety employee under the workers’ compensation statute, which includes:
- Law enforcement;
- Fire fighters;
- Emergency medical technicians;
- Correctional officers; and,
- Many other employees as designated by law.
Special Provisions for Public Safety Workers
Though you do qualify for workers’ comp benefits by virtue of your position, there are two key points that work to your advantage.
- If a public safety employee suffers from certain medical conditions, workers’ comp laws presume that they are occupational diseases. Examples include high blood pressure, heart disease, and some cancers.
- Some public safety workers qualify for higher workers’ comp levels for disability benefits, which amounts to around twice the amount a civilian employee may receive for the same condition.
Set Up a Consultation with a Maryland Public Safety Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you were hurt or developed an occupational disease in connection with your role as a public safety worker, please contact the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC to schedule a free case evaluation. Our lawyers can offer more personalized advice once we review your situation. We serve injured employees throughout Maryland from our offices in Glen Burnie, Owings Mills, Ellicott City, and Annapolis.
