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Workers' Compensation Summary - Maryland

The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission administers the state Workers' Compensation Act. The following brief summary is intended to provide a general overview of Workers' Compensation coverage and benefits in Maryland. See the separate topic for help with acronyms. For further information contact your local or state Workers' Compensation Program office. This information is based on data originally provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and updated by the Workers' Compensation Commission, and is current as of January 2011.

Benefit rates are adjusted annually and change January 1 of each year. The rates discussed below are in effect for calendar year 2011.

Type of Law and Insurance Requirements

In Maryland, workers' compensation is compulsory, and some waivers are permitted. There is a competitive state fund. Employers may insure through private carriers, self-insurance, or through groups of employers. There is no exemption for employers with small numbers of employees.

Coverage of Agricultural Workers

Covers agricultural employees whose employer has 3 or more full-time employees or a yearly payroll for full-time employees of $15,000. Office workers are exempt from coverage. Independent contractors on farms, other than migrant workers, do not have coverage. Owner-operators of large tractor-trailer vehicles are excluded from coverage.

Coverage of Domestic Employees

Any domestic worker whose earnings are $750 or more in any calendar quarter from a private household is covered. Domestic servants and their employers jointly may elect for the employee to be covered, even if the individual does not meet the earnings requirement.

Medical Benefits

Full medical benefits are provided with no time or monetary limitations.

Benefits for Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

The percentage of worker's wage paid is 66 2/3. For weekly payments, the minimum is $50 or actual wage if less and the maximum is $940, 100% of SAWW. The maximum period of payments is the duration of disability.

Benefits for Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Benefits for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

For weekly payments, the minimum is $50 or actual wage if less. For awards for a period less than 75 weeks, compensation is to be paid at the rate of one-third of the claimant's average weekly wage, not to exceed 16.7% of the SAWW or $157.00 per week. For awards for a period equal to or greater than 75 weeks, but less than 250 weeks, the compensation is to be paid at two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage not to exceed one-third of the State Average Weekly Wage or $314.00. For non-scheduled injuries, the maximum period of payments is the duration of disability and there is no maximum payment amount.

Disfigurement Benefits

Maryland covers disfigurements that are "mutilations and others not specifically covered in schedule". Benefits are determined at the discretion of the Workers' Compensation Commission, and are for a maximum of 156 weeks.

Offset Provisions in State Laws

Section 36(1)(a) --Cost-of-living increases for employees who are entitled to compensation for permanent total disability under this section and for disability under the Federal Social Security Act will be reduced to avoid a diminution of the Federal benefits.

Contact Information

Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission
10 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1641

Phone: (410) 864-5100
Toll Free: 1 (800) 492-0479

Internet: http://www.wcc.state.md.us/

Other State's Summaries

Curious about the Workers' Compensation program in another state? Want to see a summary like this one? Click here to select another state's summary.

Source

Information for this topic was drawn from pages of the WCC at:
http://www.wcc.state.md.us/
http://www.wcc.state.md.us/Adjud_Claims/Reg_Changes.html
http://www.wcc.state.md.us/Adjud_Claims/Comp_Rates.html

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