Lutherville Teachers & School Employees Injury Attorney
While teaching might not have a reputation as a dangerous profession, the truth is, many workers’ compensation claims are filed in Maryland by educators. There are several ways in which a teacher can suffer injuries on the job. In many cases, the injuries are the result of interactions with students. Sometimes students will engage in fights, and a teacher could feel the need to intervene, and other times a rambunctious child may simply do something that accidentally hurts the teacher.
When a person is injured at work, workers’ compensation policies should cover the medical expenses related to that injury. In the case of teachers, some programs offer additional coverage, and it is important to have a full understanding of the benefits that are available in order to utilize those resources best.
If you are a teacher or other education professional in Lutherville, Maryland, who suffered an injury while at work, contact the dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP to discuss your claim. We have more than thirty years of experience representing injured workers. We know that the compensation provided by workers’ compensation insurance is there to help people who need that assistance. Call us today at 410-769-5400 to discuss your claim with an experienced Lutherville workers’ compensation attorney.
Educator Benefits: What is Offered by Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation applies to most professions, but there are some notable differences when it comes to coverage for teachers. In general, these policies are intended to protect employees. As such, the policies will exclude independent contractors. When it comes to educators, this will not typically be the case. As employees, teacher’s injuries should be covered.
If the policy does apply to the workers’ injuries, then it will cover costs associated with medical bills and lost wages. Medical coverage can sometimes be complicated because there are various types of treatment, and some limitations might apply. For example, if a teacher is injured in an accident at work, bills for hospital stays will likely apply, as will costs for surgeries. Doctors might recommend that an injured educator also undergo physical therapy as part of their road to recovery. It is important to check to make sure that the insurer will cover the recommended treatment. There could be restrictions on which providers are covered or even on how many sessions the policy will include. Knowing what you can expect the policy to cover will help you make informed decisions and avoid the possibility of being hit with unexpected costs.
Workers’ compensation also provides income replacement benefits while a person is out of work. In most cases, those benefits will not cover 100 percent of the injured workers’ salary. Instead, the benefits amount to two-thirds of the worker’s normal pay. Obviously, the reduced salary can create a major problem as workers have expenses that are going to need to be covered whether they are injured or not. Fortunately, teachers’ unions often have negotiated additional benefits which can help cover the entire lost pay, although those benefits typically only last for a given amount of time.
If you are an injured teacher in Lutherville, Maryland, contact a workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your options and to ensure that you are getting the support to which you are entitled.
Will Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover my Injury if I Caused it?
One benefit of workers’ compensation is that it is not based on fault. If the injury arose out of your job, then it should be covered. A workers’ compensation claim is not a negligence lawsuit. You do not have to show that your employer did something that caused your injury or prove that you weren’t negligent.
While it might appear at first glance like the whole system should be easy to navigate, and that benefits will be readily available to you, this is not always the case. For instance, it can be difficult to prove that an injury took place in the course of your job. Sometimes insurers will deny a claim based on suspicion that the worker is trying to get benefits for an injury that took place during their free time or before they were even employed as a teacher or educator. Unfortunately, valid claims are sometimes met with denials. If your employers’ workers’ compensation insurer denied your claim for benefits, you can challenge that decision.
Contacting an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you challenge a claim denial.
How an Attorney Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need as an Educator in Lutherville
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, our attorneys know how the workers’ compensation system works. We understand the frequent challenges made to claims, and we know that the compensation offered by these programs is vital for our clients.
Call us today at 410-769-5400 to speak with one of our dedicated and compassionate Lutherville workers’ compensation attorneys.
