Workplace accidents affect millions of people around the world every year. As per the statistical reports created by ILO, i.e., International Labour Organization, every year, around 340 million occupational accidents take place. Moreover, around 160 million workers become victims of work-related illnesses every year. The number of people who die due to work-related accidents or diseases every year is around 2.3 million.- Workers’ Compensation Claims
In the USA itself, 4764 fatal work injuries took place in the year 2020, despite the fact that most workplaces were not operational for at least half of the year. Accidents occurring at workplaces have been a common phenomenon for many centuries. The number of accidents kept increasing after the establishment of large-scale factories and multinational corporations.
However, it does not mean that workers don’t get injured at small commercial and industrial places. Earlier, owners and higher authorities at workplaces used to prioritize profits over staff. Safety policies were formed, and safety measures were not practiced. No arrangements used to be there in case any worker got injured at the workplace.
But the scenario changed with time owing to the growing awareness amongst the people. Owners of businesses had to start taking care of their staff. Even governments of different countries created laws and regulations so that people present within commercial and industrial premises remain safe.
As a result, a decline has been observed in fatal work injuries in the past few years. The incidents of illnesses among workers have also decreased. However, the illnesses and workplace accidents due to the nature of work or the working method have not stopped completely. Reasons like negligence of the business owners, managers, and supervisors, lack of precautions taken by workers, and natural disasters can be attributed to this fact.
Therefore, workers’ compensation law is applicable in various parts of the world. The name of the law might vary from country to country and even from region to region, but the main purpose remains the same. The purpose of this law is to allow injured workers to seek compensation from their employers.
Workers’ Compensation Law in Maryland (USA): A Brief Idea- Workers’ Compensation Claims
In the United States of America, high importance is given to the workers across all locations, occupations, and industries. A set of rules or a program is formulated in every state to make employers liable to pay compensation to the workers who have been injured at work, died at work, or contracted diseases due to work.
In order to comply with the rules and regulations enforced by the government, employers provide their workers with workers’ compensation benefits. Many employers take insurance coverage to stay prepared for the unfortunate circumstances, wherein they might have to compensate any worker for the injuries sustained by the latter.
The compensation is necessary to enable the workers to make up for lost wages as well as receive medical attention for their injuries. Workers cannot return to work until they recover fully from their physical and emotional wounds.
Thus, they lose wages they could have earned had they not been injured. Moreover, they also have to pay for the medical expenses incurred to heal from injuries. Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Law instructs employers to provide compensation to injured and deceased employees. It’s not necessary to prove anyone’s fault in workplace accident cases.
Workers might face various kinds of problems at work as well as the consequences that arise from those problems. Workers can encounter an accidental injury in the course of employment, an injury caused by a wilful or negligent act of a third person in the course of employment, a disease that occurs due to the activities performed in the course of employment, a disease that results from an accidental injury, or a disease that results from an injury caused by a wilful or negligent act of a third person in the course of employment.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims and Benefits
Many occupations have an inherent risk of injuries and diseases. Workers in industries such as construction, furniture, chemicals, plastics, mining, and metals work with a high risk of getting into a workplace accident. They wear safety gear and practice all the safety measures.
But still, workplace accidents happen, and as a result, workers get injured. They also face financial difficulties due to not being able to continue working. Some workers need more time to complete the treatment and take rest before resuming their professional duties. The severity of the injuries and the degree of financial damages can vary from one person to another.
Workers ask for compensation claims depending on the pain, suffering, and cost borne by them. Different types of compensation claims include claims for medical care, claims for temporary partial disability, claims for temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, and permanent total disability.
Employers provide compensation for medicines, hospitalization, surgeries, ongoing care (nursing services, physical therapy, etc.), medical equipment (like hearing aids, crutches, etc.), and prosthetic applications (artificial body parts). Injured workers can also get reimbursement of lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
In some worst cases, workers succumb to their injuries. In such cases, employers have to provide death benefits to the family members of the deceased workers. They also have to provide compensation for the funeral costs. Businesses buy a suitable insurance plan by considering the relevant factors, like the size of the business, number of workers, nature of the work, and so on.
Why Should You Consult a Workers’ Comp Attorney?
In ideal situations, employers give compensation to the victims of workplace accidents and injuries on their own. But in some cases, it’s quite possible that employers deny providing any compensation. In such circumstances, workers can take the aid of a trusted workers’ comp attorney.
A workers’ compensation attorney can collect all the necessary details and represent your case in court. They can even conduct discussions with your employer to convince them to agree to an informal settlement, i.e., an out-of-court settlement. But if your employer doesn’t agree, your attorney can present the evidence and arguments in your favor in court so that you can get the compensation you deserve.
Final Thoughts
You should stay equipped with the knowledge about a reputable and reliable law firm that handles the cases of workers’ compensation for workplace accidents.