Maryland Police Officers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you work as a police officer, you appreciate that work-related injuries and occupational diseases are a fact of life. Data compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that these medical conditions can be so serious that many in your position experience job disruptions: According to figures from 2018, there were approximately 7,700 recordable cases of nonfatal injuries and occupational diseases among law enforcement in Maryland. Among them, there were 6,500 individuals had days away from work, work restrictions, or a transfer to another position within the force.
If you find yourself in such a position, it may come as some relief to know that workers’ compensation laws protect you as a police officer. Plus, you do have certain advantages over other employees covered by state laws. Our team at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can explain in more detail, so please contact our office to set up a free case evaluation with a Maryland police officers workers’ compensation lawyer today. Some background information may also be helpful.
Police Officers and Maryland Workers’ Comp Laws
Even though your job is unique in many ways, you still qualify for benefits under the state workers’ compensation system. If you’re hurt or incur a medical condition in connection with your job, you file a workers’ comp claim with the insurance company that provides coverage for your unit. You don’t need to prove fault as you would in other personal injury cases. In a qualifying claim, you may be eligible to receive such benefits as:
- The costs of medical care, including those for current treatment and any expenses you may incur in the future;
- Wage replacement for the time you’re out of work and recovering from your injuries; and
- Workers’ comp disability for partial and total disability, on a permanent or temporary basis.
In addition, if you’re a surviving family member of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty, you may be eligible for death benefits.
Special Protections for Police Officers
The benefits described above apply across the board for most workers in Maryland. However, as a police officer, you’re considered a “public safety employee” under the statute. As such, you have two key advantages for the services you provide:
- If you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and other ailments, there’s a legal presumption that the condition is occupational in nature – and therefore eligible for workers’ comp.
- You may qualify for a higher amount of disability benefits than workers in the private sector. Depending on your circumstances, you could obtain up to double the amount on account of the essential public safety services you provide.
Speak to a Maryland Police Officers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free
To learn more about your rights and remedies as a public safety worker in Maryland, please contact the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to review your circumstances at our offices in Glen Burnie, Owings Mills, Ellicott City, or Annapolis, MD.
