Workers' compensation insurance will typically cover a variety of expenses relating to an on-the-job injury. Although no one will ever get rich off workers' compensation benefits, it can represent a lifeline of vital financial support to help a Maryland worker and his or her family members stay financially afloat until the injured worker gets better.
In the case of temporary disability, or time spent injured and unable to work, workers' compensation will not cover all of a temporarily disabled worker's previous wages, but it will usually cover about two-thirds of one's salary. There is also a limit on benefits, so high-income individuals may not always reach that two-thirds mark. That said, it is important to note that workers' compensation benefits are non-taxable. Therefore, some individuals may actually get close to their previous income.
Other benefits workers can expect to receive from a successful workers' compensation claim include medical care for work-related injuries and illnesses and costs for retraining if an injury results in an inability to perform a previous job. Individuals may also receive compensation for permanent injuries. In the case of a work-related death, spouses may also be entitled to survivors' benefits.
A workers' compensation claim may be filed without the assistance of an attorney. However, those who have been injured on the job may wish to seek legal assistance to ensure that they receive the maximum amount of workers' compensation benefits possible under the law. An experienced workers' compensation professional will know what to look for and what level and type of benefits an individual in a similar situation can realistically expect.
