When you are injured at work in Maryland, you may be eligible for wage loss benefits. A common question I receive is, how long do these wage loss benefits last?
How much are wage loss benefits in Maryland?
Let’s first take a look at wage loss benefits in a Maryland workers’ compensation case. How much are benefits are payable to an injured worker? That question is dictated by the Maryland Workers’ Compensation law and the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. Each year, the Commission updates wage loss benefits calculations for next coming year.
Your wages are established by a wage statement that is provided by your employer and reviewed by you for accuracy. That is an important step in the process. Wages are calculated by the injured worker’s earnings from the 14 weeks PRIOR to the work injury. If you worked for the employer less than 14 weeks, then actual figures for the weeks you worked are provided on the wage statement. This process establishes what is called the average weekly wage.
For temporary total disability benefits, meaning the injured workers is out of work completely, generally an injured worker will receive payment equal to two-third (2/3) of the average weekly wage, up to the maximum average weekly wage. The maximum rate in 2023 has been established at $1402.00 per week. For temporary partial disability benefits, an injured worker will receive fifty percent (50%) of the difference between the established average weekly wage and the injured worker’s actual earnings. In this case, the injured worker is likely working light duty, but is still suffering wage loss under the established average weekly wage.
How long do wage loss benefits last in Maryland workers’ comp?
Generally, wage loss benefits can be received up to 500 weeks from the date of the injury. However, most do not last that long. Wage loss benefits will end when the injured worker returns to work, or when the Commission suspends or terminate benefits, or when the injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement.
In rare cases, wage loss benefits can continue beyond 500 weeks, if there Is evidence that the injured workers suffered a permanent impairment as a result of their injury. These cases are not common.
If you have been injured at work in Maryland, trust the experience of Mooney Law to effectively handle your claim. Workers’ compensation is quite a complex area of law. Mooney Law is proven, trusted, and experienced in workers’ compensation. We have obtained tens of millions of dollars in benefits for injured workers throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. Our consultations for Maryland injured workers are ALWAYS FREE. Call us today at 443-712-7767 or 717-200-HELP. You can also email us to schedule a consultation at info@mooney4law.com. Finally, visit our website and complete the Schedule a Consultation form and we will be in touch quickly. Finally, visit our new Maryland Mooney Law Facebook page.
