Some industries are more dangerous to work in than others, for example, construction, mining, and agriculture. If you work in any of these fields, you have probably heard a lot about workers’ compensation. However, even if you work in other industries, you may be at risk of workplace injuries, yet aren’t aware of the potential benefits.

If you sustain workplace injuries or illness, you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer in Maryland to learn about your rights. You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and an attorney can be in the best position to ensure you get the total compensation package. They’ll investigate your case and explain your rights.

What Injuries Will Workers’ Compensation in Maryland Cover?

In compensating a worker for workplace injuries, the State of Maryland evaluates the source of the injury. That’s because it doesn’t cover all workplace injuries, as the law states that the accident that causes the injury must occur during work. The injuries are only compensable if they’re directly related to your work.

Some common injuries that can happen at work include:

  • Damages caused by improperly maintained or outdated equipment
  • Severe burns and related injuries from an explosion at the workplace
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • An accident at a construction site, including being struck, crushed, or compressed by an object
  • Injuries caused by overexertion; for example, bending, reaching, twisting, or lifting
  • Injuries from repetitive movements. An example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the fingers, hands, and wrists of workers who spend a lot of time typing on computers.
  • Prolonged workplace exposure to dangerous chemicals that can cause disease and illness.

Proving that you sustained injuries at work can sometimes be challenging, but a personal injury and criminal defense lawyer can defend you. Every case is different and carries its fair share of the burden of proof. Working with an experienced workplace accident attorney in Pikesville, MD, can enhance your chances of a favorable case outcome.

What Happens When I Am Partly at Fault as a Worker?

Generally, you’re not to blame for injuries you sustain at the workplace, even if you were partially at fault. Your employer may claim that you were intoxicated at the time of the accident, but that won’t stop your claim unless the intoxication was the only reason for the accident.

However, your claim may be invalid and may be denied if it falls outside the work-related activity bracket. For example, the insurer may deny your claim if you got into an accident while fighting a colleague. In exceptional cases, courts have sided with employees who are partly to blame if their behavior was not the sole cause of the injury.

Additional Compensation is Available in Some Cases

While workers’ compensation only applies to injuries or illness resulting from certain conditions at the workplace, sometimes an injury may occur under a third party’s watch. For example, another driver, a subcontractor, the manufacturer of faulty equipment, or a careless property owner may be liable for the injuries.

Depending on the nature of the injuries and the facts surrounding the case, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against third parties. A Pikesville workplace accidents attorney dedicated and experienced in workers’ compensation claims can investigate the factors of the accident and injury. If there’s enough proof that another party contributed to your injuries, you can hold them accountable.

Can I Receive Maryland Workers’ Compensation for Stress?

Stress is a common problem in many workplaces, but it dissipates once a project is complete or a phase is over. For some employees, stress is an ongoing part of their workplace and can become unbearable. You will need evidence to show this. Additionally, you’ll have to show that outside-of-work issues had little or no contribution to your stress.

Proving a mental health claim can be challenging, but a lawyer can help you create a strong case. Some common conditions workers’ compensation may cover include stress, depression, anxiety and related disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim if I Lost a Loved One at Work?

If you’ve lost a loved one in a workplace accident, a workplace accidents lawyer in Pikesville can assist you in filing a compensation claim. The settlement amount provides coverage for the medical, funeral, and burial expenses of your loved one.

Additionally, the benefits continuously pay a percentage of the monthly benefits of the employee’s former income. Coverage is usually available if an employee dies at work and is later found, even if there wasn’t an apparent accident.

Can My Workers’ Comp Claim Be Denied in Maryland?

There are several reasons why an insurer can deny your benefits. For example, you have ten days to report the incident, or you could lose the right to recover the benefits. Other reasons include:

  • Technical errors in your claim
  • The insurer believes your injuries are not work-related
  • The insurer doesn’t think you were injured at all
  • Mistakes on the insurer’s part
  • You got involved in an activity that disqualifies your work-related injuries from coverage, for example, being on drugs at the time you sustained injuries.

In such cases, you may want a workplace accidents lawyer to represent you in appealing the decision by the insurer. Your case will end up before the Workers’ Compensation Commission for a hearing to determine the outcome. Ensure you do so quickly to beat the strict deadlines.

A Legal Professional Fighting for the Rights of Workers in Maryland

Filing a claim after sustaining injuries in the workplace can be difficult. Your priority is to recover and get to work; the workers’ compensation claim might be the last thing on your mind. Nonetheless, you’ll want to know that your medical expenses and lost wages are covered when you cannot work.

Your situation can become even more complex if your employer contests your claim. Luckily, you don’t have to go to battle alone. Our workplace accidents lawyer can work with you to fight for your workers’ compensation benefits. We have extensive experience working with people injured on the job, and we can help you too. Call us today to get started.