Hurt on the Job as a Nurse? Filing a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claim

From hospitals to nursing homes to clinics, nurses spend long shifts caring for patients, often putting their own health at risk. The physical and emotional demands of the job leave them susceptible to injuries. While workers’ compensation in Maryland can help cover their costs, getting a claim approved isn’t easy.

Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman & Darby LLP represents nurses throughout the state. Our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains how injuries often happen and common challenges in getting benefits.

How Nurses Often Get Hurt on the Job

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that people in the medical field have the highest work-related injury rates in the country. More than half a million health care professionals get hurt on the job each year, and nurses are among the most at risk.

Long hours, physically demanding tasks, and constant exposure to illness create daily risks for nurses in Maryland. Some injuries happen suddenly, while others build up gradually over time. Common causes include:

• Lifting or repositioning patients, leading to back, shoulder, or knee injuries;
• Trips and falls on wet hospital floors or cluttered hallways;
• Needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens;
• Repetitive strain injuries from charting, typing, or other repetitive motions;
• Violence or assaults by patients, resulting in physical or psychological harm;
• Exposure to infectious diseases, such as flu, COVID-19, or bacterial staff infections.

These injuries can force nurses off the job, sometimes for weeks or months at a time, and can eventually end their careers.

Common Challenges Nurses Often Face In Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claims

Benefits for injured nurses may be available through the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC), but getting those benefits approved can be difficult. Hospitals and insurers often look for ways to minimize claims, leaving nurses struggling with medical costs and lost income. Common challenges nurses face include:

• Disputes over whether the injury is work-related, especially for repetitive stress or exposure claims;
• Pressure to return to work before fully healed, risking further injury;
• Delays or denials of medical treatment, such as physical therapy or surgery;
• Claims undervalued by insurers, with benefits calculated too low;
• Retaliation concerns, where nurses worry about job security if they file a claim.

These obstacles leave nurses in a difficult position. Having an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney is often key to getting the total amount of benefits you deserve.

When Nursing Injuries Happen, Contact Our Experienced Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney

As a nurse, you take care of people when they are most vulnerable. When you get hurt on the job, you deserve the same level of care and protection from the workers’ compensation system.

At Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman & Darby LLP, our Maryland workers’ compensation attorney helps nurses and other health care professionals get the benefits they need to cover the cost of their medical care, current lost wages, and any permanent disability. If you are injured and work in the medical field, call or contact our office online to schedule a consultation today.

Sources:

wcc.state.md.us/

bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/health-care-and-social-assistance-had-562500-injuries-and-illnesses-in-2023-fewer-than-in-2022.htm