If you suffered an injury at work in La Plata, you could qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under Maryland law. Understanding your rights as an employee is critical for recovering the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. At Trollinger Law LLC, our legal team can discuss your eligibility for workers’ comp and potential obstacles you may encounter when applying for benefits.
Whether you have already submitted your paperwork or need help appealing a workers’ compensation denial, our law firm can provide the guidance and support you need during this challenging time. Our attorneys have a track record of obtaining full and fair workers’ compensation benefits for Southern Maryland residents, both during settlement negotiations and at trial.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in La Plata, MD. We’ll review the incident that caused your injuries, walk you through the workers’ compensation claims process, and answer any further questions you have.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Maryland
Workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland include disability benefits, medical expense benefits, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Wage-Loss Benefits
Wage-loss benefits, sometimes called disability benefits, replace a portion of your lost income based on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your ability to work. In Maryland, wage-replacement benefits include:
- Temporary total disability (TTD) – These benefits provide partial wage replacement while you are out of work recovering from your injury. To receive back pay for your first three days of absence, you must be out of work for more than 14 days.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) – Not all injuries require taking time off, but they can impact the work you can perform. TPD benefits provide partial replacement for the difference in your pre- and post-injury wages while you heal.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) – Catastrophic injuries may render an employee unable to perform any type of substantial gainful employment. If your work-related injury ended your career due to a permanent disability, PTD benefits will replace part of your lost income.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) – Some permanent injuries aren’t severe enough to prevent employees from returning to work, but may impact the type of jobs they can perform. If you are partially disabled, you could receive PPD benefits based on your pre-injury income, the affected body part, and the extent to which it is disabled.
Medical Expense Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits should pay for all reasonable and necessary medical bills related to your work injury. These benefits typically continue until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point at which further treatment won’t result in further recovery.
After you file a workers’ compensation claim, your employer or their insurance company might challenge whether the treatments your doctor recommends are reasonable and necessary. This common tactic is their attempt to avoid paying for expensive treatment. With help from a La Plata workers’ compensation attorney, you can collect additional medical evidence to dispute unfair arguments.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Vocational rehabilitation benefits pay for you to receive education or training to find a new job that fits within your work restrictions. Even if you can return to work after recovering from your workplace injury, your doctor may have given you restrictions that prevent you from returning to the same duties you previously performed.
Through vocational rehabilitation, you can learn the skills needed to perform a different job, which may or may not be with the same company you worked for before your injury.
Common Workplace Injuries
Some of the most common workplace injuries employees suffer in La Plata include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushed limbs and amputation
- Electrocutions and burns
- Hearing loss
- Toxic exposure
- Occupational diseases, such as mesothelioma
Injured workers in Maryland must notify their employer of a work-related injury within 10 days and generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. Failing to meet these deadlines can affect your ability to recover benefits, so it’s important to act promptly.
What to Do if Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied
If your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer denies your claim, your first step is to review the denial letter to determine the cause. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you review the letter and gather the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim.
Next, your lawyer will request a hearing with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission within 60 days of your denial. You will attend a hearing regarding the denial, where your lawyer can present your evidence, and the Commission will determine whether or not to reinstate your denied benefits. If the Commission denies your claim, you can appeal it to the Circuit Court.
How Workers’ Compensation Settlements Work in Maryland
Workers’ comp settlements in Maryland can be either lump-sum payments or structured settlements.
- Lump-sum payment – A single payment that includes all the money the workers’ compensation insurer owes you. This allows you to pay off any outstanding bills immediately and use the remaining compensation as you see fit.
- Structured settlement – Pays out your workers’ comp benefits over time.
Lump-sum payments are the more common of the two, but structured settlements may be preferable for individuals who prefer to access their benefits over time. A Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can discuss the pros and cons of a lump sum versus a structured settlement arrangement based on your financial situation, needs, and eligibility for government benefits, such as Social Security.
Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Workplace Injury in La Plata
The best way to protect your legal rights after an occupational injury is to speak with a La Plata workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will provide general legal guidance based on the facts of your case and help you through the workers’ compensation claims process so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
A workers’ comp attorney can:
- Gather strong evidence to support your workers’ comp claim
- Place a value on your case based on your injuries and their long-term impact
- File your workers’ compensation claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement
- Appeal the insurance company’s decisions if necessary
Contact Our La Plata Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Most Maryland workers are eligible for workers’ comp, but sometimes, the path to benefits can be blocked by red tape. Let the La Plata workers’ compensation attorneys from Trollinger Law LLC help.
Past clients can attest to the value of our legal services. Here’s what past client R.L. had to say about Trollinger Law LLC:
“I’m not sure I have the words to adequately express my gratitude for Trollinger Law. From the very first phone call, Mr. Trollinger made me feel like I had an advocate. My complicated and lengthy case was handled by Hugh Williams who kept me informed every step of the way. He patiently answered my many questions and did an absolutely amazing job representing me. My advice to anyone out there considering an attorney…please talk to Trollinger Law first. Don’t let your employer bully you into giving up your case. Don’t let pre-existing conditions discourage you from seeking the compensation you are entitled to. You are worth it and Trollinger Law will ensure you are treated with compassion and kindness every single step of the way. Many thanks to Hugh, Matt, Molly, and Chris for taking care of our community!”
Ready to talk? Call or contact us today for a free initial consultation.
