What are the Maximum Rates for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Maryland?
In Maryland, the Workers’ Compensation Commission (the Commission) is responsible for setting the maximum benefit rates every calendar year. As established in Maryland Code of Labor Employment Section 9-603, the Commission uses data from the Department of Labor to determine the state average for weekly wages annually. This average wage is applied to calculate the maximum rates for workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland each year.
What is the Average Weekly Wage?
As stated by the Commission, the average weekly age across Maryland for 2019 is $1,116.00. This is an important figure for death and disability considerations in statewide computations of workers’ compensation benefits.
What are the Maximum Rates for Temporary Total Disability Benefits?
In temporary total disability situations, the injured employee is entitled to 2/3 of their previous average weekly wage. Though this benefit rate cannot exceed 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage of $1,116.00.
What are the Maximum Rates for Permanent Total Disability Benefits?
In permanent total disability cases, the injured employee is entitled to 2/3 of their previous average weekly wage. That being said, the employee cannot earn more than 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. So there is an upper limit of $1,116.00 per week for permanent total disability benefits in Maryland.
What are the Maximum Rates for Temporary Partial Disability Benefits?
In temporary partial disability situations, the injured employee is entitled to 50 percent of the difference between the:
- State average weekly wage of the current year; and
- Employee’s previous weekly wage on average.
Though as with other workers’ compensation benefits, the injured employee cannot earn more than 50 percent of the state average weekly wage, which is $558.00 in 2019.
What are the Maximum Rates for Permanent Partial Disability Benefits?
In permanent partial disability cases, the injured employee is entitled to a different rate based on their length of disability. For example, disability awards occurring after January 1, 2019, and lasting:
- Less than 75 weeks — Injured employees may earn up to 1/3 of their previous weekly wage, with an upper limit of 16.7 percent of the statewide average figure; or
- Less than 250 weeks — Injured employees may earn up to 2/3 of their previous weekly wage, with an upper limit of 33.3 percent of the statewide average figure.
What are the Maximum Rates for Serious Disability Benefits?
In serious disability situations, the injured employee is entitled to 2/3 of their previous average weekly wage. Though this benefit rate cannot exceed 75 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, which adds up to $837.00 per week.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you have legal questions about the maximum rates for workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland, it can be especially practical to reach out to a disciplined workers’ compensation attorney. The Baltimore worker’s compensation attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP feature proven qualifications in the arena of workers’ compensation, including disputes concerning maximum benefit rates. If you need legal help, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
