Comparing Temporary Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Maryland
Workers’ compensation exists to provide financial benefits to covered employees who suffer a qualifying injury at the workplace. Although there are restrictions on the types of covered employees and qualifying injuries, many injured workers can secure temporary workers’ compensation benefits to help reduce their financial burden.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Temporary total disability benefits are available to a covered employee during the initial recovery period from a qualifying injury. These benefits are appropriate when the injury temporarily prevents the employee from performing all of their work duties. In this situation, the employee is considered temporarily and totally disabled for the purposes of workers’ compensation.
During this period of temporary and total disability, the employee will experience financial difficulty through lost wages. Furthermore, the employee is unable to perform any work duties, eliminating the possibility of reduced or part-time employment. Temporary total disability benefits help the employee replace some of their lost wages. That way, the employee can focus on medical treatment and recovery with the end goal of returning to the workplace.
If an employee qualifies under temporary total disability, the length of disability impacts the availability of benefits.
- Disability of 14 Days or Less — Workers’ compensation benefits are not available for the first three days of disability, excluding medical costs and funeral expenses.
- Disability of More Than 14 Days — Workers’ compensation benefits are available for the entire period of disability.
Temporary total disability benefits terminate when the injured employee is able to return to the workplace, even in a reduced or part-time capacity. At that point, the employee is no longer temporarily and totally disabled and, thus, ineligible for this type of benefit. Though if the employee is unable to return to full working capacity, then they may qualify for the next type of temporary workers’ compensation benefit.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Temporary partial disability benefits are also available to a covered employee during the initial recovery period from a qualifying injury. These benefits are appropriate when the injury temporarily prevents the employee from performing some of their work duties. In this situation, the employee is considered temporarily and partially disabled for the purposes of workers’ compensation.
During this temporary period of partial disability, the employee is only able to perform a reduced workload. As a result, the employee is only able to make a reduced income, as compared to their usual earning capacity.
If an employee qualifies under temporary partial disability, then the employer or their insurer will be responsible for providing compensation. In most cases, the employee can receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage from before the injury. The maximum amount is the statewide average weekly wage, which is calculated annually by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Temporary partial disability benefits terminate when the injured employee is able to return to work in a full capacity. At that point, the employee can perform all of their normal job functions. They are no longer disabled and, thus, ineligible for this type of temporary workers’ compensation benefit.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you need legal help with a workers’ compensation claim in Maryland, it can be significantly helpful to consult with an accomplished workers’ compensation attorney. The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland, understand how to navigate the workers’ compensation process and secure benefits for injured workers. If you need legal help, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
