Permanent Total Disability and Benefits

Workplace injuries and illnesses can have devastating effects, sometimes rendering employees unable to return to any form of gainful employment. Fortunately, under Maryland law, workers who suffer severe and lasting impairments that constitute a permanent total disability may be eligible to recover workers’ compensation benefits. Such benefits can provide them with financial support so that they can maintain stability in the face of overwhelming challenges, but securing these benefits can be a complicated and contentious process, as employers and insurance companies may dispute the extent of a worker’s disability or their eligibility for benefits. If you have questions about permanent total disability and benefits, the trusted Prince George’s County workers’ compensation attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A., can inform you of your rights and help you to recover any benefits you may be owed. We help injured workers throughout Greenbelt, Hyattsville, and the greater Maryland area pursue the benefits they deserve.

Permanent total disability refers to a condition in which an injured worker is unable to perform any kind of work due to the severity of their impairment. Maryland’s workers’ compensation laws recognize that certain injuries or illnesses may leave an employee permanently unable to engage in meaningful employment, even with accommodations or retraining. Permanent total disability benefits are awarded in these cases to provide long-term financial support for workers and their families.

The most common injuries leading to permanent total disability include severe spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, the loss of multiple limbs, or total blindness or deafness. Additionally, some cases of occupational diseases, such as advanced-stage respiratory conditions caused by workplace exposure, may also qualify. The inability to work not only affects the injured employee’s financial well-being but also takes a significant emotional toll, leading to feelings of frustration, loss of identity, and increased stress for the entire family.

Permanent total disability benefits offer vital financial relief, replacing a portion of the worker’s lost income and helping to cover medical expenses, household costs, and other necessary expenses. Without these benefits, many injured workers and their families would face significant hardship.

In Maryland, permanent total disability benefits are available to employees who sustain injuries or illnesses that prevent them from performing any substantial gainful activity. These benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the injured worker’s average weekly wage at the time of the injury, up to a state-mandated maximum, and are typically paid for the rest of the worker’s life.

Eligibility for permanent total disability benefits requires medical evidence demonstrating the severity and permanence of the worker’s condition. Specific injuries, such as the loss of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one leg, are presumed to result in permanent total disability under Maryland law. However, workers with other types of injuries may also qualify if they can provide evidence that their condition prevents them from performing any type of work.

In addition to wage replacement, permanent total disability benefits may include compensation for medical expenses related to the injury, such as ongoing treatment, therapy, medications, and assistive devices.

Suffering an injury or illness that leaves you unable to work is an incredibly difficult experience, but permanent total disability benefits can provide the financial security you need to focus on your well-being and adapt to your new circumstances. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our experienced Prince George’s County workers’ compensation attorneys understand the challenges faced by workers seeking permanent total disability benefits, and we are committed to helping you navigate the claims process and overcome any obstacles that arise. Our office is located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, Rockville, Silver Spring, La Plata, and other cities in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, as well as all counties in the State of Maryland. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, please contact us online or call us at (301) 441-2022.