What Is the Workers’ Compensation Commission?

Getting injured at work can throw your whole life off balance. Between the medical bills, missed paychecks, and all the paperwork, it’s easy to feel stressed. But there is an agency to help you through the process: the Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC).

So, what is the Workers’ Compensation Commission? They can help guide you through the process, make sure you get the workers’ comp benefits you’re entitled to, and help take some of the stress off your shoulders. While they don’t replace legal advice, they can help get you started with your claim.

What Does the Workers’ Compensation Commission Do?

The WCC is the state agency that oversees workers’ compensation claims in Maryland. If you’ve been hurt on the job, the Commission is the place that helps you throughout the process.

They make sure that disputes between employees and employers, or insurance companies, are handled fairly. The WCC can help:

• Adjudicate claims: If there is a disagreement about your claim, like maybe your employer disputes the injury or the extent of your disability, the WCC steps in to make an impartial decision.
• Approve settlements: Sometimes, both sides can agree on their own. In this case, the WCC reviews it to make sure it is fair before anything is finalized.
• Monitor self-insured employers: Some companies insure themselves instead of using a traditional insurance company. In these scenarios, the WCC makes sure they have the funds to pay claims if necessary.
• Enforce compliance: If an employer is not following the law, the WCC can enforce the rules, including levying penalties when needed.

Who Is in Charge of the WCC?

The WCC is not a faceless bureaucracy. It is led by a Chairman and a team of nine Commissioners.

These individuals are responsible for conducting hearings and making decisions on claims. There is also an administrative staff member who handles the day-to-day operations.

How Do You File a Claim?

Fortunately, the WCC has made it pretty easy to file a claim. Here are the steps:

• Tell your employer: You must inform them about your injury as soon as possible. This helps to establish a record.
• Submit a claim: This involves filling out a form and sending it to the WCC.
• Attend hearings (if needed): If there is a dispute, you may need to go before a Commissioner. This is your chance to tell your side of the story.
• Receive a decision: The WCC reviews all the information and issues a ruling on your claim.

While the WCC is there to guide you through each step, you may still want an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to help with the process. With that, you can make sure that everything is filed correctly and on time.

What Types of Benefits Are Available?

So, what types of benefits does the WCC handle? Depending on the nature of your injury, you could receive:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you cannot work while recovering.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): For those injuries that leave lasting but not total impairments.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): When an injury prevents you from returning to any type of work.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: If you need retraining to do a different job.
• Death Benefits: For the dependents of a worker who dies due to a work-related injury.

All these benefits make sure you or your family is not left financially stranded while recovering from an injury that was not your fault.

Making Strides to Modernize the System

Fortunately, the process of getting benefits is a bit easier for those in Maryland. The WCC now has a web-based system called CompHub. This platform allows you to file claims, track progress, and communicate with all parties involved online.

This is part of an ongoing effort to reduce paperwork and make the process less stressful for everyone.

Are There Locations Across Maryland?

The main office is in Baltimore, but the WCC has multiple hearing sites to make it easier for workers across the state to access services. Currently, you can find offices in La Plata, Salisbury, Easton, Cambridge, and Upper Marlboro.

No matter where you are, help is within reach.

Why the WCC Is Important

The WCC focuses on more than paperwork and hearings. They are there to protect workers’ rights.

The Committee makes sure injured employees get what they’re owed, enforces laws to prevent abuse, and provides a fair platform for resolving disputes. Think of them as a safety net for anyone who gets hurt on the job.

Getting Legal Help Is Still an Option

However, even with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission, you may still want to get your own legal help. Remember that they act as an impartial part of the process. They can tell you which forms to fill out or what information to attach, but you still want to reach out to an experienced attorney for legal advice.

At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we’re available to help, and we’ll work with you to maximize your benefits when you need them most.