Maryland Governor Appoints Former Executive to Workers’ Compensation Commission
After losing his reelection bid, former Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman will continue to serve the State of Maryland in as a workers’ compensation commissioner, reported The Baltimore Sun. Governor Larry Hogan appointed Kittleman to the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission last month.
According to a spokesperson from the Governor’s office, Kittleman will be responsible for reviewing workers’ compensation cases and claims. Though he will not have the authority to appoint staff members. Kittleman began his new workers’ compensation role on December 4th, the day after his term as county executive expired.
In terms of qualifications, Kittleman has more than 30 years of experience with workers’ compensation and related matters in Maryland. Kittleman built a unique familiarity with these matters as an attorney and while serving as a state senator on the workers’ compensation oversight committee.
In order to appreciate the significance of Kittleman’s appointment, it seems like an optimal chance to review the role and purpose of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (the Commission) in Maryland.
What is the Purpose of the Workers’ Compensation Commission?
The Commission exists primarily to process workers’ compensation claims in Maryland. When an employee suffers a qualifying injury on the job, they can submit a claim to the Commission for benefits. Then the Commission decides whether to grant the request as well as which workers’ compensation benefits to award.
The Commission reviews all workers’ compensation claims in accordance with Maryland state law. In order to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker must be able to demonstrate the following elements:
- Employee Status — The injured worker must be an actual employee of the employer, not just a temporary worker or independent contractor;
- Injury Arose Out of Employment — The work-related injury must be associated with the employee’s job duties, thereby arising out of employment; and
- Injury Arose in the Course of Employment — The work-related injury must occur at the employer’s place of business or a similarly designated job site, thereby arising in the course of employment.
Assuming the employee suffered a qualifying work-related injury, then the Commission proceeds to the determination of benefits. Depending on the circumstances, the Commission may award the injured employee with:
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits;
- Temporary Partial Disability Benefits;
- Permanent Total Disability Benefits;
- Permanent Partial Disability Benefits;
- Medical and Hospitalization Benefits;
- Wage Reimbursement Benefits;
- Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits; or
- Death and Funeral Benefits Page.
Although it has the authority to award worker’s compensation benefits, the Commission does not make any payments directly to the injured employee. Instead, the employer’s insurance carrier normally dispenses workers’ compensation payments to the injured employee.
Contact Us Today for Help
If you need legal help with a workers’ compensation claim in Maryland, it can be exceedingly beneficial to reach out to a skilled workers’ compensation attorney. The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland, have established skill and aptitude with workers’ compensation claims and related matters. If you need legal help, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Resource:
baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ph-ho-cf-kittleman-appointment-1206-story.html
