Baltimore Work Injury Lawyer
Many people fall victim to injuries or illnesses on the job in a variety of different professions. Dealing with a workplace accident is never easy. In some cases, these events can be extremely serious and can adversely affect an individual’s entire life. At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, our skilled Baltimore work injury lawyers have represented many people in Baltimore and elsewhere in Maryland who have been hurt in a job-related accident, such as construction workers, laborers, factory workers, and professional drivers. We understand the procedures for pursuing compensation in these cases and can explore the options that you may have.
Seeking Benefits through the Workers’ Compensation System
When an individual is hurt or becomes sick on the job, he or she can typically recover benefits through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault system of insurance in which most employers in the state are required to participate. You generally do not need to show who was responsible for your injuries to establish your eligibility for benefits. Instead, you would need to prove that the harm occurred in the course of your employment. Workers’ compensation benefits cover many costs for employees who suffer on-the-job injuries, including medical bills, hospital stays, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation costs, and wage replacement.
Employees have two years from the date of an injury to file a claim with the Maryland Workers Compensation Commission. Even if an individual does not wish to collect compensation above their medical expenses and present wages, it may be a good idea to file a claim if the harm could potentially be long-term. This is because workers may be eligible to receive a cash award of wages for the percentage of permanent injury they sustain, known as a “permanent partial” award. Physicians assign a rating for a worker’s incapacity, ranging anywhere from one to 100 percent based on the nature and extent of the harm. Filing a claim protects a worker’s right to future reimbursement for medical expenses in relation to treatment for that workplace injury. For example, a worker who harms his spine at the age of 24 may be entitled to reimbursement for the rest of his life.
Job-related accidents are generally covered exclusively by workers’ compensation. However, in some cases, a third party other than the employer may be at fault for an employee’s injuries. For example, a product manufacturer may be at least partly responsible for harm caused by a device that malfunctioned. If this is the case, the injured worker may be able to file a negligence lawsuit against this third party to seek compensation beyond what is available through workers’ compensation.
Legal Guidance for Injury Claims in Prince George’s County
Life can change in an instant. If you have been injured on the job in an automobile accident or another mishap in Prince George’s County, you can consult the attorneys at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman. We can investigate the details of your case, explain your rights, and determine an appropriate course of action to seek financial assistance through the workers’ compensation system or from a third party.
To set up a free consultation with a member of our team, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 410-998-3600.
