Hyattsville is home to many different businesses, including tech companies, construction companies and healthcare systems. Generally, people engage in safe practices while working, but some work accidents are unavoidable, even if workers perform their jobs carefully. Hyattsville workplace accidents often cause substantial injuries that require costly medical care and prevent people from working. In many instances, though, employers must pay employees who are harmed while working workers’ compensation benefits. If you sustained losses in a Hyattsville workplace accident, it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The assertive Hyattsville workers’ compensation attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A. are mindful of the devastation workplace injuries can cause, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you recover any benefits you may be owed.
Claims for Benefits After Hyattsville Workplace AccidentsUnder Maryland law, employers must pay employees injured on the job workers’ compensation benefits in certain situations. Specifically, under Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act), employees that suffer personal injuries while they are working are owed benefits. It is important to note that their injury must be accidental; in other words, if the employee intentionally harms themselves, their claim may not be compensable. Further, the injury must arise out of and in the course of their employment. This area of the law has been the target of many appellate cases and has many rules and exceptions to the rules. A basic principle is that case is likely compensable if the injured worker is doing something in furtherance of the employers interests. Only employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits; the Act does not cover independent contractors and casual employees. Employees do not need to prove their employer’s negligence or fault in order to recover benefits. In some cases, injured workers can pursue a negligence action against one of their co-employees or a third party that was responsible for their injuries. Absent extreme circumstances, the Employee will not be able to pursue a negligence action against their employer directly.
Benefits Available for Hyattsville Workplace AccidentsEmployees injured in Hyattsville workplace accidents can often recover both medical and wage loss benefits. Medical benefits include the cost of any treatment an employee needs due to the injuries sustained in the accident. For example, doctors’ visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical and occupational therapy, adaptive devices, and prescriptions may all be covered.
Income loss benefits compensate employees who cannot work because of their injuries for their lost wages. Employees may be considered partially or totally disabled and may be paid benefits on a temporary or permanent basis. Temporary total disability benefits are paid to employees who miss over three days of work at a rate of two-thirds of their pre-accident average weekly wage. Such benefits are paid until the injured employee reaches maximum medical improvement, resumes work or is released to return to work. If the injured worker is unable to return to work, they may be considered permanently disabled, in which case they may be owed permanent total disability benefits. Generally, they will have to undergo a medical examination to determine the nature and extent of their disability, which will be used to calculate the amount of benefits they are owed.
If an injured employee is still able to work in some capacity but suffers a decrease in income due to their injury or even just has problems doing their job, they may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits, which represents a portion of the lost income and disability due to the accidental injury.
Meet With an Experienced Attorney in HyattsvilleHyattsville workplace accidents can occur in even the safest environments, and when they do, they typically cause significant losses. If you were hurt at work, you may be owed workers’ compensation benefits, and you should speak to an attorney. The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers of Foran & Foran, P.A. are well-versed in what it takes to help injured workers obtain just outcomes, and if you hire us, we will gather the evidence needed to help you seek any benefits available. Our office is in Greenbelt, and we regularly represent injured workers in workers’ compensation matters in Hyattsville and other cities in Prince George’s County, Calvert County, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County. You can reach us to schedule a confidential and free meeting by calling us at (301) 441-2022 or using our form online.