Construction along freeways and busy roads can be a nuisance during rush hour or when drivers are in a hurry. However, construction work can also be extremely dangerous for the men and women working at those sites. This was made abundantly clear last month when an accident involving two road construction workers left one dead and another seriously injured. According to reports, a driver who was traveling southbound through a construction zone attempted to pass the road workers by moving into the northbound lane. When an oncoming vehicle forced the driver to veer back into the southbound lane, the car struck two workers. A 48-year-old worker suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. The second worker suffered serious injuries and was transported via helicopter to the closest hospital.

Workers’ Compensation

When individuals are injured on the job, they and their families may suffer significant financial, physical, and emotional challenges. Medical bills, loss of income, and the stress that comes along with unpaid bills and caring for an injured family member can all take a significant toll on any family. Tragically, some workers are killed while on the job, and their families must not only struggle with finances but deal with the emotional shock of losing a loved one. Fortunately, in Maryland, workers’ compensation provides financial aid for many qualifying families.

Accidental Injury

In Maryland, in order to be covered by workers’ compensation, a workers’ injuries must have been accidental. An accidental injury is defined as an injury that either:

• Arises out of and occurs in the course of employment; or
• Is caused by a willful or negligent act of a third person directed against an employee in the course of employment.

A disease or infection that naturally results from an accidental injury arising out of the course of employment also falls under this category and includes:

• Occupational diseases; and
• Frostbite or sunstroke caused by weather conditions.

Course of Employment

In order to receive workers’ compensation coverage, an employee’s injury must have arisen out of and occurred in the course of employment. This means that the harm must have been incidental to the employment or caused by the employment itself. The time, place, and circumstances of the injury are also important factors in determining whether and how the injury occurred.

Coverage

Under workers’ compensation laws, an employee who suffers an injury while working can receive two-thirds of his or her weekly wage. Furthermore, there is no time limit on how long an employee can receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Besides payment of medical bills and lost wages, there are four types of disability benefits covered by Maryland’s workers’ compensation that depend upon the type and severity of the injury, including:

• Temporary partial;
• Temporary total;
• Permanent total; and
• Permanent partial disability benefits.

Charles County, MD Personal Injury Lawyers that Fight for You

The injury or death of a loved one is a traumatic event and can take a severe financial and emotional toll on victims and their families. If your family member was injured or killed while at work or due to a work-related disease, you may be entitled to benefits through workers’ compensation. Please contact the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at (301)870-1200 for a free consultation.