The purpose of Maryland’s workers’ compensation laws is to safeguard employees who sustain illnesses or injuries at work.
These laws define the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees regarding medical treatment, salary replacement, and compensation for a lifelong impairment or deformity stemming from occupational injuries.
To ensure injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to, employers and employees must know the laws and rules governing Maryland workers’ compensation. The critical elements of Maryland’s workers’ compensation laws are summarized in this post.
Who is covered by workers’ compensation?
A workers’ compensation policy is required for all companies, irrespective of the number of their workforce. Only a few people, such as owners of agricultural enterprises with less than three employees or annual incomes under $15,000, are free from the obligation. Maryland imposes a $10,000 fine on employers who fail to maintain the required workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Injuries Covered by Maryland Workers’ Compensation
The policy covers any illnesses or accidents that occur while working, including those on the employer’s property or while doing work-related responsibilities off-site. Employees are not entitled to benefits if their injuries result from misconduct, such as drug or alcohol use, or if they don’t occur as part of their regular work.
Benefits Available under Maryland Workers Compensation
Temporary Partial Disability
These payments are given to employees whose workplace accidents left them disabled and prevented them from working again for a predetermined time, known as the “recovery period,” after the accident.
Permanent Total Disability
Workers may be eligible for payments for permanent total disability if they have lost the use of one or more of their arms, hands, feet, legs, eyes, or combinations of those.
Medical Expenses
It pays for all necessary and reasonable medical costs associated with work-related illness or injury, such as medical care, hospitalization, prescribed medications, and physiotherapy.
Death Benefits
Family members and dependents may also be eligible for death benefits as part of workers’ comp benefits if a worker passes away because of a place of work accident, illness, or injury.
Statutes of Limitations Regarding Workers’ Comp in Maryland
Employees have ten days to notify their employer if they are diagnosed with a work-related illness or injury. A workers’ compensation claim must then be submitted to the Workers Compensation Commission within 60 days of the diagnosis of the injury or disease. If an accident results in the death of an employee, the family has eighteen months to make a claim. There is a two-year time limit for the injured worker or their family for occupational sickness. Employees or their families have three years to submit a claim for respiratory dust illness.
Summary
Maryland’s workers’ compensation laws are essential for safeguarding the rights and well-being of employees who get sick or hurt while on the job. According to Maryland’s workers’ compensation legislation, employers must do specific tasks, including swiftly implementing proper insurance coverage and disclosing workplace injuries. Employers and employees can successfully navigate Maryland’s intricate workers’ compensation system and guarantee that injured workers get the assistance they need to rehabilitate and resume work by being aware of and abiding by these regulations.
