Maryland’s workers’ compensation program has been providing benefits for workers who were injured on the job since 1902. According to the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission, 21,842 workers’ comp claims were filed in 2021. That represents thousands of dollars in benefits being dispersed to workers in need. However, those benefits aren’t always provided until the insurance carrier conducts a thorough investigation. That is where the issue of how employee surveillance can impact a workers’ compensation claim.

The National Safety Council reports that 75,000,000 work days were lost to disabling injuries in the US in 2022, not including the day of the injuries or time off for check-ups following the injured employees’ return to work.

Getting back to work after an injury can be a complicated process, requiring careful planning, clear communication, and strict adherence to medical instructions. Whether you’ve suffered your injury at work or somewhere else, any transition back to your job should be done gradually and safely.

Rushing back to work too soon can risk greater harm, prolonging recovery or even causing you to suffer new injuries. Knowing how to safely return to work after an injury can make all the difference between a speedy and smooth recovery and experiencing prolonged health problems.

Let’s look at some key steps and strategies that can help make sure that your return to work after an injury is done safely and mindfully.

Workers’ compensation helps protect employees who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job. Nearly 60 billion dollars were paid out in workers’ compensation benefits in 2020.

This state-by-state system provides benefits like medical treatment, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent injuries and impairments. The workers’ compensation system can be extremely complex, however, which means that navigating the claims process isn’t always straightforward.

Knowing when to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer can be a pivotal first step in ensuring that your rights are protected and you get the benefits you’re entitled to.

Let’s talk about when it makes sense to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer and how having a legal representative can make all the difference in your case.

Getting into an accident with your car is bad. Getting into an accident with somebody else’s car is even worse. If that car is a company vehicle, it can get complicated, especially if losing its use impacts your job. There is also the issue of medical expenses and lost wages that might be incurred as a result of the accident. Does workers’ compensation cover car accident injuries in Maryland? The answer depends on the car you were driving and why you were driving.

As we grow older, we can experience hearing loss. That hearing loss can be compounded by years of occupational noise hazards. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical health condition. Among the working population, 1 in 8 people have some level of hearing difficulty, and 1 in 4 people can attribute that loss to occupational exposures. If this is a situation you find yourself in, you might wonder if workers’ compensation in Maryland covers hearing loss.

The answer to the compensation question is complex. In fact, the Maryland workers’ compensation law was recently revised to clarify the definition of occupational deafness and how that would apply to filing a claim. The following post breaks down the new guidelines and how you can address the issue.

Nearly 60 billion dollars were paid out in workers’ compensation benefits in 2020, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance, benefits which were crucial for employees who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job.

These benefits provide financial support for medical expenses and lost wages during the recovery period and can vary significantly from state to state in terms of eligibility, allotted benefits, documentation required, and the claim filing process.

Does your job have a sign that lets everyone know the last time there was a “lost time accident?”

These signs are meant to be motivational, to inspire workers to put safety first. If an incident reduces the sign number back to zero, it is typically an accident that requires immediate medical attention. However, not every workplace injury happens instantaneously.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a prime example of one such injury.  

Can you get workers’ compensation for cubital tunnel syndrome? Before you file a workers’ compensation claim for cubital tunnel syndrome, it will help to know what causes that condition and how that might relate to your job.   

The federal government passed the first workers’ compensation insurance policy law in 1908, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). At that time, the insurance only covered workers considered employed in hazardous jobs and only working for the federal government. By 1911, all but six states established workers’ compensation policies for the entire workforce.

Today, all 50 states have workers’ compensation policies in place to protect employees who are injured on the job. However, there are several injuries that are not covered by workers’ compensation in Maryland. Read on as we share what those are.

Are you afraid of your boss? A study conducted at New York University found that 83% of respondents felt too intimidated by their boss to raise any type of concern. That fear is grounded in the notion that you could lose your job if you cause “trouble” at work. Unfortunately, that fear often prevents an employee from reporting an injury and putting in for a workers’ compensation claim. Can you be terminated while on workers’ compensation in Maryland?

The short answer is “no.” You cannot be fired in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, other conditions about benefits and labor law can impact your claim and your job.

Many workplaces post a sign declaring how many days it has been since the last accident. The hope for all the workers is that the numbers keep ticking up, indicating it is a safe workplace. Despite the best efforts to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that 882 workers’ compensation claims were filed in Maryland as of April 2024. Of that number, only 309 claims have been paid out so far. That is an excellent reason to find out what workers’ compensation lawyers do.