Anne Arundel Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Assisting Injured Workers in Hunt Valley and the Surrounding Areas
Workplace injuries can be traumatic, expensive, and life-altering, particularly if they result in permanent disability and the injured employee is unable to return to work. When an employee has been injured on the job, it is important that they take the rights step to ensure that their Worker’s Compensation claim is approved so that they can begin to receive the benefits they deserve as soon as possible. For over 30 years, the legal team at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have been helping injured employees navigate the claims process and ensure that they get the financial support they need.
Overview of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Maryland state law requires that every employee be protected by Workers’ Compensation insurance, which covers the expenses associated with all injuries and illnesses that are directly work related, including the following:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization costs, surgeries, home health care, prescription medications, and rehabilitation services. Travel costs may also be covered.
- Lost wages due to temporary, partial, permanent, or total disability.
- Vocational services that help the employee return to work in some capacity. This could include job training, career counseling, and job placement services.
- Death benefits if the employee’s injury was fatal. These benefits are paid to the dependents of the deceased worker.
It is important to know that you will not be eligible for Worker’s Compensation benefits if you fail to prove that there is a true employer-employee relationship and that the injury was directly work-related. However, if you are an official employee and you have been injured on the job, one of the first things you must do is report the injury to your employer. Failing to do so can have a negative effect on your claim, including the possibility that it is denied.
Types of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Whether you climb scaffolding all day at a busy construction site, or you spend most of your day negotiating financial transactions while sitting behind a desk, workplace accidents can – and do – happen every day. Injuries can range in seriousness from minor cuts and strains to massive head injuries, broken bones, and amputations. In extreme cases, the injury can be fatal. Workers’ Compensation covers the cost of workplace injuries that occur during the course of employment. However, if you became injured at work, and you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the injury, the insurance company may deny your claim.
If you suffer from an injury or occupational illness that developed over time, you may have a more difficult time collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits. Examples of these injuries include repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and conditions caused by exposure to toxic substances. Insurance companies may be more likely to deny these claims on the basis that there is not enough proof that the job caused the employee harm. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyers can guide you through the claims process and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve.
What to Expect When the Claim is Approved
If your injury causes you to miss more than three days of work, you may qualify for income replacement benefits. If you are out of work for more than 14 days, Workers’ Compensation will also reimburse you for the first three days if you have not already been paid for those days by your employer. Income replacement benefits, also called temporary total disability payments, provide two-thirds of your average weekly salary, but cannot exceed Maryland’s average weekly wage for the year. You can expect to receive these benefits for as long as the injury prevents you from being able to work, or until you reach maximum medical improvement.
If you have been permanently disabled by your injury, you will receive weekly benefits for a specified period of time based on the nature of your disability. Employees who are eligible for these benefits often continue to receive them indefinitely. The insurance company will likely require regular medical evaluations in order to confirm the nature and extent of the disability.
Anne Arundel County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for All Injured Workers
If you have suffered an injury or an illness while on the job, you may be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. The Anne Arundel Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton advocate for injured employees and we will help you navigate the complex claims process. Whether your injury is relatively minor or you have become permanently disabled, we will secure the maximum benefits you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4529 or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, 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.11