Baltimore Workers' Compensation Lawyers

Types Of Benefits Available In A Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Claims

There are many potential benefits available to an injured worker filing a Baltimore workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits include payment of medical bills and treatment, temporary disability payments for the loss of wages, rehabilitation and training, and permanent injury compensation if a permanent injury occurs. In addition, Maryland law requires that all employers carry workers’ compensation insurance so your benefits are covered. If you are injured and your employer does not have insurance, the Uninsured Employers Fund (UEF) steps in to cover what your employer’s insurance should have. 

The types and extent of benefits an injured worker may receive depends on the severity and nature of the employee’s injuries. Conflicts involving the severity of an employee’s injuries are common in workers’ compensation claims. Often the employer’s attorney, or more accurately stated, the employer’s insurer’s attorney, will argue that the employee’s injuries are not as severe as he or she states, that the claimed injuries pre-existed the workplace injury and that certain treatments/benefits are not necessary. When the opposing attorney makes these arguments, your lawyer will argue for the legitimacy of your workplace injury and resulting treatment. Unless resolved between the parties, the issue is then decided by a Commissioner at a hearing. If issues involving the extent of your injuries and treatment arise, having an experienced Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyer at your side can make a monumental difference in the benefits you receive. Here are the major types of benefits available to an injured worker making a Baltimore workers’ compensation claim:

• Temporary total disability benefits (lost wages while unable to work)
• Permanent total disability benefits 
• Temporary partial disability benefits
• Permanent partial disability benefits
• Medical benefits & treatment
• Hospitalization benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits
• Death and funeral benefits

In order to successfully obtain the benefits to which you are entitled, it is essential to have a qualified Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyer representing your interests. Receiving and organizing a majority of workers’ compensation benefits involves speaking with insurance adjusters. The adjusters, on behalf of the insurance companies, are responsible for actually issuing payments and benefits, such as temporary total disability. As is common with most types of insurance, adjusters respond differently when dealing with a lawyer because of the credible threat of litigation. With a Baltimore workers’ compensation attorney overseeing your case, the insurance company will be much more likely to issue the correct benefits, on the correct time schedule.

What To Do If You Suffer A Workplace Injury In Baltimore

If you suffer a workplace injury, the first thing you should do, aside from seeking any necessary emergency medical treatment, is contacting a qualified Baltimore workers’ comp lawyer. There are strict reporting deadlines involved with filing a workers’ compensation claim. The best way to avoid possible mistakes is to have a lawyer on your side, who can confirm all your bases are covered.

The first step in the claims process is reporting the injury to your employer. You should do this as soon as possible, stating the date of the injury and describing the circumstances surrounding the injury. Also, it is always best practice to email the notice, or otherwise put it in writing, so as to establish a paper trail. Missing a deadline could render you ineligible for benefits or cause a reduction in benefits. The second step is to note other employees who may have witnessed the injury. Third, you should request and seek medical treatment for your injury (in Maryland, you have a right to see any doctor of your choosing).

After completing these steps, if you did not already do so, you should contact a Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyer. Speaking with a lawyer prior to filing your claim will always be in your best interest. Fortunately, the Maryland workers’ compensation system is relatively fast in terms of distributing temporary total disability and approving initial treatment. Nonetheless, the one surefire way of making certain these initial benefits are received as quickly as possible, and to ensure all subsequent benefits are received in a similar fashion, is to contact Hyatt & Goldbloom.

How Long Do You Have To Report An Injury To Your Employer?

After a workplace injury, notifying your employer is one of the most important initial steps in the workers’ compensation process. Failure to report your workplace injury may jeopardize your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Reporting deadlines differ depending on the circumstances and type of injury. Under Maryland workers’ compensation law, you must provide oral or written notice to your employer:

• Within ten days of an accidental injury
• Within thirty days of a death caused by a work-related accident
• Within one year of discovering a work-related disease or illness
• Within one year after a death caused by a work-related disease or illness

Unlike accidental injuries, occupational injuries/diseases are much harder to pinpoint because they result from workplace exposure over an extended period of time. Therefore, the nature of your injury and the benefits you are entitled to may be unclear. If you are unsure about your rights or potential claim or have any other questions about the workers’ compensation process, call the Baltimore workers’ comp lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom today. We will make sure you have the information needed to move forward, regardless of whether you decide to hire us for your claim.

How Long Do You Have To File A Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Similar to reporting time limits, Maryland workers’ compensation law stipulates deadlines for filing a workers’ compensation claim. For accidental injuries, the time limit to file a claim is two years from the date of the incident. Occupational injuries or diseases have a different time limit than accidental injuries. For occupational injuries, the employee has two years from the date they were unable to continue performing their work duties to file their claim. Additionally, if a death occurred due to the injuries, the employee’s family has two years to file the claim. Meeting these deadlines is extremely important. If you fail to file your claim within the given period, you may be barred from bringing the claim at all.

After going through the workers’ compensation process and reaching a settlement, there are certain circumstances that may allow you to reopen your claim. A common example of this is when an employee’s condition and/or injuries worsen over time. If this is the case, the employee may be able to reopen their claim and apply for additional compensation within five years of the date of the accident.

Aside from these scenarios, there are other circumstances when your claim may remain open, such as if you are still receiving treatment for your injuries. So long as it is deemed your employer has the obligation to pay for your medical expenses, your claim may remain open.

Worker’s Compensation FAQs

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Call The Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers At Hyatt & Goldbloom Today

The Law Office of Hyatt & Goldbloom passionately protects the rights and interests of injured employees throughout Maryland. If navigated properly, the workers’ compensation system can be a highly effective tool, providing injured employees with the treatment needed to recover and return to work.

We are happy to answer any questions or concerns regarding a new, existing, or former workplace injury. An experienced Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyer is available 24/7 to discuss all your legal needs.