Lutherville Correctional Officers Injury Attorney
For correctional officers, showing up to work every day comes with serious risks. Work-related injuries and violent assaults are such a common part of the job that the risk of injuries for these workers is about 36 times greater than the average for Americans throughout the country. When work comes with inevitable risks, employees need to understand the rights available to them in the event that they suffer harm. The workers’ compensation system functions by providing certain benefits to workers who suffer injuries in the course of their employment.
Unfortunately, many individuals who sustain injuries at work find that filing a workers’ compensation claim is more of a challenge than anticipated. Legitimate claims sometimes are met with denials, leading to a frustrating situation for an injured worker and his or her family. If you were injured in the course of your employment, then you are likely entitled to recover benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our attorneys have been working with injured individuals throughout the state of Maryland for more than 30 years. We understand how important it is to receive the benefits to which you are entitled following a work-related accident. Call us today at 410-769-5400 to discuss your claim with one of our dedicated Lutherville, Maryland, workers’ compensation attorneys.
Workers’ Compensation in Lutherville, Maryland is a No-Fault System
Workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees as long as their injuries occur in the course of their employment. The workers’ compensation system does not rely on fault. In this way, workers’ compensation is different from personal injury lawsuits. In order to collect damages in a personal injury lawsuit, a person must prove that another individual negligently caused his or her injuries. It can be far more difficult to prove negligence at the hands of another person than simply to show that an injury took place in the course of a person’s job. For this reason, it is easier to recover workers’ compensation benefits for injuries than it would be to file a personal injury claim against an employer.
Suppose your employer did negligently cause your injury. In that case, the employer is also protected by the workers’ compensation system because you will not have the ability to file a negligence lawsuit related to your injury. In this way, workers’ compensation is a tradeoff between the worker and the employer. Employers are protected from costly litigation and large personal injury lawsuit damages. Employees are more likely to get benefits when they need it. When employees are unable to work, they will most likely recover compensation, but in lesser amounts than they would in the event of a successful personal injury lawsuit.
Reasons Workers’ Comp Claims May be Denied in Lutherville, Maryland
Although workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, that does not mean that insurance companies will not deny even some legitimate claims for benefits. Sometimes, a claim will appear suspicious solely because the injured individual has filed previous workers’ compensation claims. Other times, the workers’ compensation insurer might suspect that the injury that the person is claiming did not take place during that person’s employment. The insurer might suspect that the injury is the result of an accident that occurred during a recreational activity or before the person’s employment. There are also cases where insurance companies will deny claims on technical grounds, such as that the claim was not filed on time. There are situations where your actions will disqualify your ability to collect workers’ compensation insurance benefits, such as if you were engaged in a crime or drunk at the time of the accident that caused your injuries.
If you filed a worker’s compensation claim in Lutherville, Maryland, and your employer’s insurer denied your benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. You must file your appeal within 30 days of the denial, which means you should not waste time contacting an attorney.
What Benefits are Available to Individuals Injured While Working as Correctional Officers in Lutherville, Maryland?
If you suffered injuries while working as a corrections officer in Lutherville, Maryland, you should qualify, in most cases, for workers’ compensation benefits. The benefits available will include coverage for medical expenses, a percent of your lost wages, and other payments depending on your injury’s nature and severity. For instance, vocational training is sometimes necessary for individuals who suffer injuries that prevent them from completing their previous job-related duties. Workers’ compensation benefits also include payments for families of individuals who are killed in work-related incidents. To understand the benefits available to you, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced Lutherville, Maryland workers’ compensation attorney.
Lutherville Correctional Officers, Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP for Help After an Injury on the Job
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our attorneys are ready to help you and your family recover the benefits to which you are entitled through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Call us at 410-769-5400 to discuss your claim and learn how we can help you.
