Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Helping Manufacturing Workers
Representing the manufacturing and distribution workforce throughout the state
Getting injured on the job can be a temporarily or permanently disabling life event. Whether you’re hurt in an accident or develop an illness or condition over time, you likely have many questions. Who is responsible for my medical bills? How will I support myself while I’m out of work? Will I lose my job? The only thing you should have to worry about is becoming healthy again.
The workers’ compensation attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. have decades of experience representing the people of Maryland when they’re hurt on the job. We’ll examine your workers’ compensation claim and discuss your concerns. If your claim has been denied, we’ll work with you on your appeal, and ensure every last detail is completed in order to get you the benefits you’ve earned and deserve.
The manufacturing industry in Maryland
Our state is on the cutting edge in manufacturing, with innovative processes and modern machinery. Maryland’s desirable location, including Port Baltimore, makes it a strategic point for manufacturing and distribution.
With more than 3,500 manufacturing companies here in Maryland, there’s a wide variety of industries, including:
- Aerospace and defense
- Green energy
- Food and agribusiness
- Bio-pharma
- Medical devices
- Fabricated metal and steel
- Computers and electronics
No matter what type of work you perform, you can be at risk for injury.
Common workplace injuries in Maryland
Every workplace – construction site, assembly line, office, manufacturing plant, or hospital – has its fair share of hazards and risks. Generally, manufacturing and construction sites tend to see more trauma-related injuries, and office-type jobs tend to see more repetitive stress injuries. Our workers’ comp attorneys can help with common on-the-job injuries like:
- Back injuries. Employees who lift heavy boxes can suffer injuries to the back or spine. They can also hurt their backs by slipping, tripping, or falling on the job.
- Equipment-related injuries. When large machines – like those found in warehouses or on construction sites – malfunction, they can cause traumatic injury or death.
- Head and traumatic brain injuries. Brain injuries occur from jolts or blows to the head. Workers commonly suffer head injuries from falls, construction/warehouse accidents, or vehicle accidents.
- Struck by or against an object. These injuries are exactly what they sound like, and usually happen in factory or construction settings. They can include broken or fractured bones, head injuries, sprains, and strains.
- Repetitive stress injuries. Unlike traumatic injuries, which occur suddenly and appear immediately, repetitive stress injuries happen over time and through repetition. When you perform a motion – like typing or hammering – for hours every day, for years, you can develop a cumulative injury.
Maryland workers can also develop illnesses or conditions due to exposure to toxins or harmful substances in their work environments. Some of these include:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
- Pneumoconiosis
- Occupational asthma
- Lead poisoning
- Toxic dust syndrome
- Silicosis
- Radiation illness
- Lead poisoning
Types of benefits for Maryland workers
When you’re hurt on the job, you’re generally eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer pays for these benefits – it’s mandatory any company with more than one employee carries workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Workers are entitled to the following types of benefits, depending on the severity of their injuries:
- Temporary total disability benefits. If you’re temporarily unable to work due to your injury, you’re eligible for these benefits. If you’re disabled for less than two weeks, these benefits kick in after day three. If you’re disabled for more than two weeks, they kick in after day one.
- Temporary partial disability benefits. If your injury allows you to work only a limited number of hours and you’re earning less than usual, workers’ compensation can make up the difference.
- Permanent partial disability benefits. If your injury leaves you permanently disabled but you’re still able to work in some capacity, you’re also entitled to workers’ comp. These benefits are based on what body part was injured and how severe the injury is.
- Permanent total disability benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits are also available if you’re permanently disabled on the job, at a rate of two-thirds of your weekly wage.
Other workers’ comp benefits available to you in Maryland include:
- Medical expenses. Coverage of medical benefits like doctor visits, medication, hospitalization, physical therapy, medical equipment, etc.
- Vocational services. If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, these services help you find alternate types of work.
- Death benefits. If an employee is fatally injured on the job, his or her spouse is eligible for death benefits, including funeral expenses and a percentage of the employee’s earnings.
Assistance for aerospace and defense industry workers in Maryland
As a thriving location for technology, research, design, and manufacturing, it’s no surprise that companies like Lockheed Martin look to Maryland for their headquarters. There are nearly 10,000 aerospace and defense businesses that call our state home. If you are working for a private or state company when you are hurt, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation.
Federal workers, however, may follow a different set of rules. In some cases, federal employees may not be able to collect workers’ compensation through the state program. Instead, they will need to file a claim under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Under FECA, the US government issues compensation awards “for the disability or death of an employee resulting from personal injury sustained while in the performance of his duty.”
When do I need a workers' compensation lawyer?
On the surface, the workers’ compensation process may seem simple: get hurt, tell your employer, see a doctor, and collect benefits. However, many times it’s not as easy as it appears, so you should consider working with a knowledgeable and seasoned attorney. Situations where an attorney may greatly benefit your case include when:
- Your injury or condition will result in permanent disability
- Your workers’ compensation claim has been denied
- You don’t believe the settlement you’ve been offered is fair
It’s almost never to your advantage to take on your employer’s insurance company on your own. An experienced attorney on your side can be the key to a successful outcome for your case.
Contact our Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys today
If you’re hurt on the job, you have the right to workers’ compensation while you recover from your injuries. Any job has its risks, but the manufacturing industry tends to come with its own unique hazards. The Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. have decades of experience helping employees secure the benefits they need after being injured on the job. We have offices in Dundalk, Baltimore, Columbia and elsewhere throughout the state. To learn more, or to schedule a free consultation, please call 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form.