Understanding Types of Workers’ Comp Disability Benefits in Maryland

Almost all workers in Maryland are covered by workers’ compensation laws, so you know that there is a support system in place if you are hurt in an accident or suffer from an occupational disease. Fortunately, you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault to be entitled to benefits set by the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (MD WCC). Instead, you need to meet the eligibility rules, which are straightforward. You qualify for benefits if you have a medical condition that results from a work-related accident or on-the-job conditions.

However, understanding disability benefits for workers’ compensation is less straightforward. Your medical condition will be classified and assigned a type of disability benefit, and there are additional benefits that are separate from disability. It is wise to consult with a Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer to understand what benefits are available for your situation, as you do not want to leave anything on the table when filing a claim. An overview on workers’ comp benefits should help with the basics.

Disability Benefits for Workers’ Compensation: The monetary benefits paid to employees are classified according to temporary or permanent injuries, depending on how long the impacts are expected to last. A permanent injury means you are not able to work at all, while temporary harm will eventually allow you to return.

Another classification for purposes of disability is whether your medical condition is a total or partial disability. The distinction varies according to how your injuries impact your ability to perform job-related tasks.

Together, the classifications for temporary versus permanent and total versus partial result in the following benefits:

• Temporary total disability, which pays after the first 3 days you are out;
• Temporary partial disability that makes up the difference when you can work at a different position, but you earn less;
• Permanent partial disability, which compensates you for loss of the body part that was injured; and,
• Permanent total disability, which pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you are totally disabled after a catastrophic injury.

 Other Benefits for Injured Workers: Disability payments are a main component of the benefits you may be eligible to receive for a work-related medical condition, but there are others that are extremely important. For instance:

• You can receive amounts to cover the costs of all medical care that is reasonable and necessary to treat your medical condition, now and in the future.
• If you are the surviving family member of a worker who died because of injuries or an occupational disease, you may be entitled to death benefits.
• Workers who must change occupations because of on-the-job injuries can receive vocational training to succeed in another field.

A Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Explain Additional Details

For personalized advice on the disability and other benefits you may be entitled to under workers’ comp laws, please contact the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC. We can set up a no-cost case review with a knowledgeable lawyer who will explain the process and specific benefits for workers.

Source:

wcc.state.md.us/adjud_claims/comp_rates.html