Maryland Teachers & School Employees Injury Attorney
Teachers and School Support Staff work in a challenging and stressful environment. Those who are drawn to the profession understand that they can influence the next generation in positive ways. As a career choice, teaching can be extremely rewarding.
In Maryland, educators’ work often goes beyond the daily lesson plan. Students enter the classroom carrying tensions, conflicts, and emotions from their home and social lives. Sometimes teachers and support staff can find themselves running interference and breaking up fights or even getting attacked on the job. Other times rowdy children unintentionally create an environment that can be dangerous for teachers.
Employees working at schools report more injuries than most public departments. In Baltimore, for example, only the police department experiences more injuries than do employees in the city’s schools.
If you are a teacher or school support staff and you suffered an injury at work, it is important to know that you have the right to be compensated. Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits for teachers and other people who work at schools.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get the compensation to which you are entitled. You have the right to hire an attorney who can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and who will be able to make sure that you are treated fairly and can collect the compensation that you need.
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, we take pride in fighting for the rights of Maryland’s educators. Call us at 410-769-5400 to learn more about your options and how we can help you.
What Educator Injuries are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Nearly any injury that occurs at work qualifies for workers’ compensation coverage. In some instances, such as if the injured employee was doing something illegal while working, then the injury might not be eligible as a work-related injury for workers’ compensation benefits.
In general, if an injury or illness took place because of something that occurred at work, then workers’ compensation coverage should apply. Problems could arise if the origins of the injury are not clear. When an injury is the result of a workplace accident, the link to work is often obvious. If the harm is gradual over time or is due to an occupational illness, then the case can become more challenging for the worker to prove.
One vital aspect of workers’ compensation is that it is no-fault. The no-fault system means that the injury can be the fault of the employee, and the injured person can still collect workers’ compensation benefits. However, if the employer caused the injury, the injured employee cannot file a lawsuit for damages. The coverage will be the same for an employee who suffered injuries whether they did something careless or whether their employer did something careless. The tradeoff is that most injuries will be covered without the employee having to prove fault.
What are the Benefits I Can Collect Through Workers’ Compensation as an Injured Teacher in Maryland?
Workers’ compensation will typically cover the employee’s medical bills and lost wages that are the result of missed time at work. If the injury leads to surgery, hospital stays, or rehabilitation, the policy will often apply.
When it comes to coverage for lost wages, workers’ compensation will cover two-thirds of the injured person’s pay. This lower amount of income can be problematic for some injured teachers. Fortunately, the teacher unions may be able to provide additional coverage. Disability leave pay often covers 100 percent of the injured individual’s lost wages. These benefits are limited to a certain timeframe, which varies from place to place.
If you suffered an injury at work in the school system, there are resources available to help you cover the costs and losses related to that injury. Figuring out the best option to take can be challenging. Hiring an experienced attorney can help ensure that you will get the coverage that you need in order to recover from your injuries.
When Should I Notify My Employer of an Injury?
If you suffered an injury while working as an educator in Maryland, do not hesitate to report your injury to your employer. Delaying the notification of a possible claim can put your ability to recover benefits in jeopardy. In some cases, if an injury’s onset was gradual, the time to report will be longer because the employee may not immediately link the injury to his or her job. Once a diagnosis relates your injury to your job, put your employer on notice.
Hiring an Attorney to Represent You in a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Claim
An attorney can serve as a powerful advocate and make sure that you are not taken advantage of by insurers who are more concerned with the bottom line than they are in getting you the benefits that you need. Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP at 410-769-5400 to speak to an experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorney.
