Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Workers’ Compensation

You work hard, and you do everything in your power to work safely. You go to work every day to provide for your family and get the job done. However, when you are injured or fall ill on the job, your world can come to a screeching halt as you struggle just to pay medical bills and make ends meet. At Cohen & Dwin, P.A., our experienced Baltimore workers’ comp lawyers fight for victims like you.

One of your rights as an employee is the right to pursue workers’ compensation if you suffer an injury on the job. Unfortunately, many Baltimore workers are unaware of their rights. Employers and insurance companies exploit the desperation of an injured employee, and many workers don’t receive all they are entitled to under the law.

We help you navigate the complex workers’ compensation system and relentlessly pursue every cent of compensation you deserve. If you have been hurt on the job, experienced a back injury at work, or are suffering from an occupational disease, contact our Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyers now. Since 1977, our attorneys have been standing strong for injured workers like you.

Schedule your free consultation now.

What You Are Entitled to Under Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Law

If you were injured on the job in Maryland, or if you are the surviving spouse or dependent child of a worker killed on the job, you are likely entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are a type of insurance provided by your employer by law.

Workers’ compensation laws in Maryland provide employees and their families a variety of benefits, depending on the worker’s situation and the injuries suffered. Some of the benefits you may be entitled to if you are injured on the job include:

  • Medical care. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses incurred to diagnose and treat a work-related injury or illness. These expenses can include medication, surgery, hospital bills, doctor visits, and transportation to and from treatment.
  • Rehabilitation. Once your injuries or illness have been treated, you may require further rehabilitation. Workers’ compensation can pay for rehabilitation and therapy so that you can regain the skills you need to return to your job, or if you cannot return to your prior work, to give you the skills to work in another position.
  • Disability compensation. If you are disabled from work, workers’ compensation can provide lost wage benefits, which can take the form of temporary partial disability benefits, temporary total disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, or permanent total disability benefits.
  • Death compensation. If you have a loved one who passed away from a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to survivor benefits, including funeral and burial costs for your loved one, along with wage replacement of your loved one’s income.

The benefits to which a worker or his or her family are entitled will vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the case and whether the worker has suffered injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation. With over 100 years of collective experience, the Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyers at Cohen & Dwin can review your case and help you understand the kinds of benefits for which you may be eligible.

 

How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Baltimore

If you suffer an accident on the job, there are steps you must take to protect your rights and begin the workers’ compensation claims process.

First, you should report your accident to your supervisor and employer as soon as possible. You have 10 days to report a workplace accident that results in injury. If you do not report your accident and injury in a timely manner, you may lose your right to workers’ compensation benefits.

Next, you should ensure that your employer prepares an accident or incident report. You will want to follow up with your employer to ensure an Employer’s First Report of Injury or Illness has been filed with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission.

If possible, you should also take photographs of the accident scene, including photographs of whatever caused your accident, any safety equipment (or lack thereof), any warning signs, and the lighting and weather conditions (if applicable).

You should also seek medical attention for your work-related injury as soon as possible. Be sure to tell the doctor your injury is work-related. Receiving a prompt medical treatment will give you the best possible timeline and prognosis for recovery. It will also ensure your injury is documented from the very start, which is important for your workers’ compensation claim.

You should cooperate with all investigations of your claim by your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer. However, you should never be pressured to give any statement or sign any documents.

You should immediately speak with a Baltimore workers’ compensation attorney at Cohen & Dwin. We can advise you of your rights and legal options in the workers’ compensation claim process. We can help you file the Employee Claim Form and ensure your injury is properly documented. If your claim has been denied, our attorneys can help you fight for the fair benefits you are entitled to receive.

Why You Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

In theory, the workers’ compensation system exists to work for you. The system is supposed to provide reliable compensation for injured employees, sparing everyone the expense and uncertainty of a personal injury lawsuit.

However, the reality is too often much different. Insurance companies and employers possess a lot of power in these cases, and employees are often at a significant disadvantage. The system can be complex, especially to an outsider.

This is why it’s so important that you speak to our experienced workplace injury lawyers about your case. We understand the system, and we know how to help you navigate it. We will:

  • Answer all your questions
  • Help you fill out all of the necessary paperwork
  • Assemble all of the necessary documentation
  • Fully explore your options under the state’s system
  • Stand up to your employer and the insurance company as we advocate for the full benefits you deserve

If you have been hurt on the job and want to talk to a lawyer about your rights, contact us now. The consultation is free.

How Long Do You Have to Report an Injury to Your Employer?

One of the most critical things to remember after being injured on the job, or discovering a work-related illness, is the time you have to notify your employer. If you fail to provide your employer with timely notice of your workers’ compensation claim, you could render yourself ineligible for benefits. According to the statutes and regulations governing workers’ compensation in Baltimore, you are required to give oral or written notice to your employer:

  • Within 10 days of an accident resulting in injury
  • Within 30 days of death caused by a work-related accident
  • Within one year of discovering a work-related disease or illness
  • Within one year after death caused by a work-related disease or illness

Work-related diseases or illnesses often occur not due to one single incident but after repeated exposure to conditions that cause the issue. If you believe you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, speak with a Baltimore work injury lawyer at Cohen & Dwin as soon as possible. We can walk you through your legal options and help you pursue the workers’ compensation benefits you need and deserve.

Understanding Your Rights Under Baltimore Workers’ Comp Law

When you suffer a work-related injury or illness, you have certain rights under Maryland’s workers’ compensation law. To ensure that all of your rights are protected, you should speak with one of our Baltimore workers’ comp lawyers. Our attorneys can help you understand all the benefits you are entitled to under the law and aggressively represent you throughout the claims process. We will fight for your rights to:

  • Reasonable and necessary medical care for your work-related illness or injury
  • Rehabilitative care
  • Vocational rehabilitation if you are unable to return to your old job
  • Treatment from the physician or medical professional of your choice
  • Wage replacement for income lost due to missed work
  • Confidentiality for your injury or illness and your claim

The workers’ compensation process can seem complex to a person applying for benefits for the first time. Let our knowledgeable Baltimore workers’ compensation lawyers help you seek the compensation and benefits that you deserve for all the hard work that you have put into your job.

Different Types of Accidents at Work in Baltimore

  • Construction Site Accidents
  • Slip & Fall Accidents
  • Machinery/Equipment Accidents
  • Car Accidents
  • Physical Attacks and Assaults
  • Animal Bites or Similar Injuries

Your Workers’ Comp Questions Answered

When injured workers come to Cohen & Dwin for help with workers’ compensation claims, they often have many questions about what to expect. Below are some of the common questions that our clients have about workers’ compensation.

Workers’ Compensation

What kinds of compensation am I entitled to after getting hurt on the job?

If you suffer a work-related injury or illness, you are, at a minimum, entitled to compensation for your medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses. Likewise, if you lose income, you are entitled to reimbursement. The specific amount of reimbursement you receive will depend on several factors, such as the type of injury or illness you have suffered, the expected length of your disability, and your income. Our Maryland workers’ comp lawyers can help you estimate the amount of compensation you should expect to receive.

What documentation do I need to bring to my initial consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney?

When you come in for your free initial consultation on your workers’ compensation claim, bring all the paperwork you have regarding your case. This includes:

  • Medical records
  • A copy of the accident report filed with your employer
  • All correspondence with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer or Maryland workers’ compensation authorities
  • Any other documents or information that you believe may be useful

What should I say to the workers’ compensation insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster will investigate your workers’ compensation claim and process your application to issue an approval or denial of benefits. As part of the investigation, the adjuster may ask you to give a recorded statement, meeting you at the hospital, your residence, or your workplace. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can advise you of your rights in the claim process, and we’ll ensure that your rights are protected and your claim is handled fairly. If you feel like a workers’ compensation insurance adjuster is pressuring you, we encourage you to first speak with our workers’ compensation claim attorneys.

Do I need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer?

Unfortunately, some workers who suffer a work-related illness or injury must wait months or years to get the crucial workers’ compensation benefits they need. Other workers have their claims for benefits denied, leaving them unable to afford their treatment or provide for their families. Retaining a workers’ comp attorney ensures you are prepared for whatever happens in your claim, and you can rest easy knowing that your claim is being professionally handled.

Why Should I Choose Cohen & Dwin to Represent Me in My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

The Baltimore workers’ compensation attorneys of Cohen & Dwin have over 100 years of collective experience fighting for the rights of injured workers across Maryland. Our lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the benefits you need to recover from your injury or illness and take care of your family. We will work tirelessly to demand that the Baltimore workers’ compensation program does what it is meant to do – protect injured workers like you.

Talk to Our Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Now

If you have been injured on the job, or believe you have contracted a work-related illness, you need to act quickly to make certain you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Contact the workers’ compensation lawyers at Cohen & Dwin today to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our legal team.

Let us use our decades of experience to fight for you.