How Long Does it Take for Workers’ Compensation Payments to Start in Maryland?

October 16, 2023

To be eligible for Workers’ Compensation payments in Maryland, you must demonstrate that you have suffered a work-related injury. These benefits can provide a key lifeline when you cannot work and earn a living. They will also pay for reasonable medical costs to treat your work-related injury. While these benefits are not instantaneous, they should begin to be paid soon after you have filed the claim and it is approved.

Your Workers’ Compensation payments’ timing depends on whether you receive weekly payments or a lump-sum settlement. The two will have different timelines.

The process begins when you file a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC) claim. It will usually take about two to three days to process the claim. It will be forwarded to the insurance carrier that your employer uses. Once the claim is filed, the insurance carrier has 21 days to respond to the claim. They can either pay the benefits or they can dispute the claim. You may need to go through the appeals process if they deny the claim.

Once the insurance company approves your claim, your payments should begin within days afterward. If you have not received payment, you should check back with the insurance company about the status of your check.

Workers’ Compensation Settlements

You could also seek to negotiate a Workers’ Compensation settlement. Usually, you would negotiate a settlement after one of two circumstances:

• You have suffered a permanent injury and reached the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI).
• You have a disputed Workers’ Compensation claim and settled with the insurance company.

Process of Workers’ Compensation Settlements

First, you would need to reach an actual settlement agreement paying you upfront for your medical costs and lost wages. After you agree on an amount, the attorneys would draft the actual language of the document. Your attorney would review the agreement in case there are changes necessary.

Once the agreement is signed, it will be sent to the MWCC for payment. First, the MWCC would need to review the actual settlement for approval. If it is unfair, the MWCC may not approve the settlement at all in the first place. From that point, it could be two to three weeks until you receive full payment for your settlement. Then, your Workers’ Compensation claim would be permanently resolved.

Do Not Settle a Claim Until You Get All Your Money

In these cases, the timing of your settlement check depends on when you can reach an agreement with the insurance company. You should not rush a settlement with the insurance for the sole purpose of getting your check. Then, you could end up leaving money on the table. You and your family may need money in the future, especially if you cannot fully work like you did before the accident.

Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Injured Employees

If you have been hurt at work, you should consider getting legal help from our Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We can help you negotiate settlements and appeal any denials. Call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.