Long-Term Disability and Workers’ Compensation in Maryland: How the Two Work Together

Injuries that happen on the job in Maryland don’t always heal in a matter of weeks. Some leave workers unable to return to their jobs for long months, years, or even permanently.

When facing this type of difficult situation, it’s important to understand how long-term disability benefits and workers’ compensation interact. Many injured workers are entitled to both, but the relationship between them is complicated. Our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney explains how these two systems work and how to make the most of them.

When a Maryland Workplace Injury Leads to Long-Term Disability

When on-the-job injuries in Maryland happen, workers’ compensation can help cover your medical bills and portions of lost income. Most claims involve a temporary injury with a clear path to recovery, but some accidents cause injuries severe enough to result in long-term disabilities.

Maryland’s workers’ compensation system offers several types of benefits to disabled workers. These include:

• Permanent partial disability benefits are awarded when workers suffer lasting impairments but retain some ability to work.
• Permanent total disability benefits workers who are unable to return to any form of gainful employment.
• Vocational rehabilitation, when workers cannot return to their previous job and need support transitioning to a different type of work.
• Extended medical benefits, which cover ongoing treatment costs and long-term care.

Qualifying for long-term disability benefits through Maryland workers’ compensation requires strong medical documentation and, in many cases, an experienced attorney to navigate insurer disputes.

Maryland Workers’ Compensation and Long-Term Disability Insurance

While the law requires Maryland employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits, many also offer long-term disability (LTD) insurance. When on-the-job injuries happen, you may be entitled to benefits through both.

The two systems interact in ways that can significantly affect how much you receive. Understanding those interactions from the start helps protect your total recovery. Key things Maryland workers need to know about how LTD and workers’ comp work together include:

• Most long-term disability policies include an offset provision that reduces your LTD benefit by the amount you receive from workers’ compensation.
• Accepting a workers’ comp settlement can affect the ongoing calculation of your LTD benefits, depending on how the settlement is structured.
• Social Security disability benefits may also be available to workers with conditions expected to last a year or longer, adding another layer of complexity to these claims.
• The order and timing of each claim can significantly impact the total amount of benefits you receive.

Navigating multiple benefit systems simultaneously is one of the most complex challenges injured workers face. To get the maximum benefits, contact an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney.

Request a Consultation With An Experienced Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney

On-the-job injuries can result in long-term disability, impacting your life for long afterward. At Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman & Darby LLP, we know how to coordinate workers’ comp and long-term disability benefits to maximize your total recovery and protect your financial future.

To request a consultation, call our office or contact our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney online today.

Source:

mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle&section=9-638&enactments=false