Workers' compensation laws can make it difficult to understand what you're entitled to, but most of the time, your injuries are going to be covered by the insurance. Not all injuries are covered; in fact, in Maryland, an employee is only covered when the event is "an accidental personal injury rising out of and in the course of employment." Only employees are covered, which means that those working as self-employed contractors may not be covered by the employer. In those cases, if they are hurt while working, they may have to sue for the compensation they need.
Occupational diseases are often covered by workers' compensation as long as it can be proved that the disease arose from the workplace or work the employee was participating in. For example, if you work as a contractor and are exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, the development of mesothelioma may not be questioned, as asbestos exposure and the disease are linked. In that case, your employer's workers' compensation may cover your injuries, allowing you to get the compensation you require.
As long as your injury arises out of employment or the course of employment, you're entitled to workers' compensation. That means that you must have been at work at the time of your injury and must have been doing work or something within your job requirements at the time when you were injured.
If you have any questions about your right to seek compensation through workers' compensation payments in Maryland, speaking with someone familiar with the laws may help. While complicated, your case can be worked out, and you may be able to get the money you need.
