Understanding Your Maryland Workers’ Compensation Rights and Benefits

To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, an employee must sustain an injury while on the job. It’s crucial to report the injury promptly to a supervisor or management. Avoid leaving the workplace without notifying a supervisor of your injury. Failing to report a non-life-threatening injury immediately might risk your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. Not all workplace injuries qualify for compensation. If your injury is deemed compensable, the employer or their insurance carrier will cover medical and hospital expenses and provide temporary total disability benefits until a doctor clears you to return to work. You may also be entitled to further benefits as discussed below:

1. Temporary Total Disability Payments – (Also known as TTD) You may be entitled to payment of a portion of your average weekly wage, while you are unable to work due to your injuries. Maryland’s 2023 maximum average weekly wage is set at $1,402.00. Your eligible compensation amount will depend on your regular average wage. A lawyer can assist in determining the maximum benefit you are eligible to receive if you are unable to work due to your injury. If you are approved to receive temporary total disability benefits, typically you’ll receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to but not exceeding the Maryland’s allowable maximum rate. If your pay is less than the maximum rate, your pay rate will be computed by averaging your actual wages over what you were paid during the 14 weeks prior to the accident, including overtime.
      
2.  Medical Bills: If your claim is approved, the employer’s insurer should pay for any reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your injuries. An attorney can help ensure your medical bills are directed to the workers’ compensation insurer and to confirm your healthcare providers have the correct insurance details. It is also important to note that some procedures or treatments may require pre-approval from the insurance to guarantee swift bill payments and to avoid disagreements with the insurer.   
       
3. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: If you have a lasting injury, you may be eligible for permanent partial disability compensation. A medical professional will evaluate your recovery and any ongoing issues. If you’re deemed to have reached “maximum medical improvement,” but still have impairments, a doctor might assign a permanent impairment rating to you. Your attorney can then request a hearing to seek compensation for permanent injuries.

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