Every job comes with a degree of risk. From the potential of a machinery-induced injury in a manufacturing facility to the risk of violence in hospital settings, there are countless ways for employees to end up hurt on the job. Their injuries could prevent them from working and could lead to major medical expenses. Workers’ compensation benefits are available in certain scenarios.
Employees in Maryland can file a claim when they have an injury directly related to the job that they perform or when they develop an occupational illness. The benefits available include full medical coverage that can pay for all of someone’s treatment costs and disability benefits to replace a portion of the income someone can’t earn due to their medical challenges.
Not all workers who qualify file claims
Many people are unsure of the rules that govern workers’ compensation claims. They may, therefore, worry that if they seek benefits when they should not, they might alienate their coworkers or endanger their professional future. As a result, many potentially qualified employees never pursue workers’ compensation benefits. One of the common explanations given for not seeking benefits is that the employee recognizes they are at least partially at fault for their injuries. Those people may not understand how workers’ compensation actually functions.
Fault is not a major concern in most cases
A worker’s inadvertence or negligence that contributes to an accident does not bar the worker from receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits. Exposure to workplace conditions directly contributing to onset of an occupational disease is covered by Workers’ Compensation. Every employer in the State of Md. is required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, with few exceptions.
Benefits for which an injured worker is entitled includes medical, wage loss, and compensation for a resulting permanent injury. Unfortunately, these benefits are not paid automatically, as the Insurers often reject even obvious compensable claims, hoping the injured worker will be frustrated enough to give up pursuing his/her claim. Seeking personalized legal guidance is a good way to get started in the pursuit of the benefits provided by the Maryland Workers’ Compensation statute.
