If you are injured at work or develop a work-related illness, you may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits to cover necessary medical treatment and lost wages. The types of benefits you receive will depend on your situation.

If you have questions about the workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to for your workplace injury or illness, our Silver Spring workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to assist you. Request a free, no obligation consultation today.

Medical/Hospitalization Benefits

If you sustain a work-related injury or illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization, workers’ compensation covers all of your medically-necessary expenses, which could include:

  • Surgery
  • Hospital stays
  • Nursing services
  • Medications
  • Crutches and assistive devices
  • Prosthetics

Disability Benefits

Workers’ compensation also covers lost earning capacity during the time your injury prevents you from working in the same capacity you did before your injury. For example, if you are temporarily partially disabled and can still work in some capacity, you are entitled to 50 percent of the difference between your current wage and the wage you earned before you became disabled.

If you are totally disabled for a limited period of time, you are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for the duration of your disability.

You can also receive compensation for permanent disability, regardless of whether the disability leaves you totally disabled or only partially disabled.

Wage Reimbursement

If you miss work to attend a medical evaluation requested by your employer or a hearing in front of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC), you must be compensated for your lost wages when you were traveling to and from the appointment or hearing.

Vocational Benefits

If you are unable to perform the work you previously did due to your workplace injury or illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits paying for vocational rehabilitation. This training may last up to 24 months and is designed to help you prepare for, obtain and retain new employment which may be different from the field you worked in prior to your accident or illness. These benefits may include services such as:

  • Vocational assessment
  • Vocational counseling
  • Resume and interview services
  • Job training
  • Job placement

When are Benefits Paid?

Workers’ compensation benefits are paid within 15 days of the payment due date, or 15 days after benefits are awarded by the WCC, whichever date is later.

Workers’ compensation claims must be made within two years of the accident. You may file online or by submitting a paper claim form to the WCC. Claims are processed within two to three business days of being received. If approved, an order is issued requiring your employer to pay the awarded medical benefits.

Who Pays for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Workers’ compensation benefits are not paid by the WCC. The role of the commission is to process workers’ compensation claims and make decisions regarding approval or denial.

Your employer’s insurer or your employer, if self-insured, is required to pay benefits if they are awarded by the WCC. Employees do not pay money toward workers’ compensation via regular payroll deductions, and employers or insurers pay related medical bills directly.

Contact Goldberg Finnegan for Help

Goldberg Finnegan’s Silver Spring workers’ compensation lawyers can help you pursue the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Our reputable attorneys will evaluate your claim and let you know what options are available to help you get the compensation you need for your medical bills and lost wages.

We offer free, no obligation consultations. There are no upfront fees when working with our firm. We are only paid if we recover compensation in your case.