Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Waldorf, MD If you were hurt on the job in Charles County, Maryland law gives you the right to medical care and lost wages. But the system is not simple. Insurers delay. Claims get denied over small mistakes. Deadlines are short. The Law Office of Robert Castro has helped injured workers in Waldorf since 1993. We handle the paperwork, the hearings, and the calls with the insurance company. You can focus on getting better. Call (301) 870-1200 for a free consultation. H2: How Maryland Workers’ Compensation Works Maryland workers’ comp is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove your boss was at fault. You only need to show your injury happened on the job. Nearly every Maryland employer must carry workers’ comp insurance. The coverage pays for your medical care, part of your lost wages, and other benefits. The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission is the state agency that runs the system. Key Deadlines for Injured Workers Maryland has strict deadlines for workers’ comp claims. Miss one and you can lose your benefits. Tell your employer within 10 days. Written notice is best. File a claim with the Commission within 60 days. The Commission can excuse a late filing in some cases. But the hard outer limit for an injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. Occupational disease claims must be told to your employer within one year of when you knew the illness came from your job. The claim must be filed within two years of when you became disabled. Work-related deaths must be reported within 30 days. Family members have 18 months to file for death benefits. These rules come from Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. §§ 9-704 through 9-711. If you are not sure where your case fits, call us before the clock runs out. What Workers’ Comp Pays For Your benefits depend on the type and severity of your injury. They may include: Medical care. Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, prescriptions, and physical therapy for the work injury. Temporary total disability (TTD). If you cannot work at all while you heal, TTD pays two-thirds of your weekly wage. There is a state cap that changes each year. Temporary partial disability (TPD). If you go back to light duty at lower pay, TPD pays 50% of the gap between your old wage and your new one. Permanent partial disability (PPD). A weekly check for lasting injuries that do not fully stop you from working. Permanent total disability (PTD). Long-term benefits when your injury keeps you from any kind of work. Vocational rehab. Job training if you cannot go back to your old job. Death benefits. Weekly checks and funeral costs for surviving family members. There is a three-day wait before TTD starts. You get those three days back if you are out of work for more than 14 days. Common Workplace Injuries We Handle Workers in Charles County come to us after all kinds of on-the-job accidents. Common cases include: Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or other heights Slips, trips, and falls on the same level Crushed-by or struck-by injuries Forklift, crane, and heavy machinery accidents Crashes during work travel (see our car accident page and truck accident page) Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel Burns, electrical shocks, and chemical exposure Hearing loss from long-term loud noise Construction and warehouse injuries Injuries range from sprains and broken bones to brain injuries, amputations, and fatal accidents. The benefits you can get depend on your injury and how it affects your work. When Workers’ Comp Is Not Enough: Third-Party Claims Workers’ comp does not let you sue your boss for pain and suffering. But if someone else caused your accident, you may have a second claim against them. Examples: A defective machine that hurt you (a claim against the maker) A subcontractor whose mistake caused the accident A driver who hit you while you were driving for work A property owner who failed to fix a known hazard A third-party claim can pay for things workers’ comp does not. That includes full lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Our personal injury attorneys handle both sides of these cases. Denied Claims and Appeals Insurers deny workers’ comp claims for many reasons. The most common are: Disputes over whether the injury happened at work Late notice to the employer or late filing with the Commission Missing or thin medical records Claims that the condition was pre-existing Fights over how bad the injury is If your claim is denied, you can ask for a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Commission. A commissioner will hear both sides and issue a written decision. You can appeal that decision to the circuit court. Appeals are technical. Medical records, witnesses, and expert opinions all matter. Having a workers’ comp lawyer build the record can be the difference between a denial and an award. Retaliation After Filing a Claim Maryland law bans bosses from firing, demoting, or harassing you for filing a workers’ comp claim. Retaliation can take many forms. It might be cut hours, a sudden bad review, or a hostile work environment. These cases are not always clear-cut. Keep records of any changes to your schedule, duties, pay, or treatment after you report the injury. If you suspect retaliation, call us. You may have a separate legal claim. Independent Contractors and Misclassification Workers’ comp covers employees, not true independent contractors. But some bosses mislabel workers as contractors to dodge paying benefits. Maryland courts look at the real working relationship, not just the title on paper. If you were called a contractor but you worked set hours, used company tools, and answered to a boss, you may still qualify for benefits. We can review your situation and tell you if a claim makes sense. Why Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer You can file a claim on your own. But the insurance company will have lawyers, doctors, and adjusters working against you. A workers’ comp lawyer levels the field. The Law Office of Robert Castro has served Waldorf and Southern Maryland since 1993. Our office is at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, in Waldorf. The firm carries a 4.9-star rating from past clients. You can meet our attorneys here. We help injured workers across Charles County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County, and Calvert County. Speak With a Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Waldorf, MD If you were hurt at work in Waldorf or anywhere in Charles County, do not wait. Deadlines move fast. The insurance company is already building its file. Call (301) 870-1200 or use our contact form to set up a free consultation. Our Waldorf, Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys at the Law Office of Robert Castro, P.A. Also Focus on the Following Practice Areas: Car accidents Motorcycle accidents Truck accidents Slip and falls Medical malpractice Wrongful death Utilities & Energy Law Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to prove my employer was at fault to get workers’ comp in Maryland? No. Maryland workers’ comp is a no-fault system. You only need to show that your injury happened on the job, not that your boss was at fault. How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Maryland? Tell your employer within 10 days. File a claim with the Commission within 60 days. The hard outer limit for an injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. Disease and death claims have different deadlines. How much does workers’ comp pay in Maryland? Temporary total disability pays two-thirds of your weekly wage, up to a state cap that changes each year. Workers’ comp also pays for medical bills, job training, and other benefits based on the type of injury. Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim in Charles County? No. Maryland law bans bosses from firing or harassing workers who file a workers’ comp claim. If you were fired, demoted, or harassed after reporting a workplace injury, you may have a separate legal claim. Do you offer free consultations for workers’ comp cases in Waldorf? Yes. Our workers’ comp lawyers offer free first consultations at our Waldorf office or by phone. Call (301) 870-1200 to set up a time that works for you.
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