Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission Announces New Benefit Rates for 2019

By law, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC) is required to determine the maximum compensation payable to qualifying injured workers every year. In most years, the amount changes to adjust to inflation, the cost of living, and other economic factors. The MWCC recently published its Maximum Rate of Benefits For Calendar Year 2019. They apply to all workers who suffer injuries in a job-related accident or are diagnosed with an occupational disease on or after January 1, 2019. You should always work with an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer when filing a claim, but you may find it helpful to know what benefits you may be entitled to receive.

Benefit Rates for Disabilities: The amounts for various forms of disability are based upon the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) for purposes of Maryland unemployment for the previous fiscal year, which was $1,116 as of June 30, 2018. Therefore:

• Permanent and Temporary Total Disability: You may receive 66.66 percent of your AWW rate, up to $1,116;
• Temporary Partial Disability: Your benefits are calculated as 50 percent of the difference between your AWW before and after your medical condition prevents you from working at full capacity. The benefit amount cannot exceed half the Maryland AWW, which is $558.
• Permanent Partial Disability: To obtain this benefit rate, you must first pinpoint the date of your injury or occupational disease. From there, a percentage applies for all awards where the disability period is less than 75 weeks.
• Serious Disability Benefits: If your disability limits your functional capacities, such as mobility, communication, or work skills, you may qualify for serious disability benefits. The rate is two-thirds of your AWW, up to 75 percent of the State AWW ($837).

Death Benefits for 2019: If you are an eligible family member seeking death benefits for a victim of a fatal work-related accident, the date of death is the initial factor. Benefits for deaths that occur before October 1, 2011 are calculated at a rate of two-thirds the worker’s AWW. A wholly dependent individual can receive up to 100 percent of the Maryland AWW, while a partially dependent person’s rate is up to two-thirds of the State AWW.

For victims who passed away on or after October 1, 2011, the benefit rate is:

• Two-thirds of the victim’s AWW at the time of the work-related incident, up to $1,116;
• This amount is compared to the income of the worker’s family to calculate how much the victim contributed to the total family income. The death benefit amount is multiplied by the AWW to determine the amount that all dependents are entitled to receive.

Trust a Skilled Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Protect Your Interests 

If you have questions about Maryland workers’ comp rates and other benefits, please contact the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can assist with filing, dealings with your employer’s insurance company, and matters before the MWCC. We serve clients throughout Maryland from locations in Glen Burnie, Owings Mills, Ellicott City, and Annapolis, and we look forward to working with you.

https://www.steinhardtlawfirm.com/faqs-about-workers-compensation-in-maryland/