Understanding how long you can stay on workers’ comp in Maryland can help you navigate your benefits more effectively. Here’s a simplified guide to the key aspects.
Types of workers’ compensation benefits
Maryland provides several types of workers’ compensation benefits:
- Temporary total disability (TTD): If you can’t work at all due to your injury, TTD benefits cover your lost wages. You can receive TTD benefits for up to 1,000 weeks, which is about 19 years, depending on how long your recovery takes and your doctor’s advice.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD): If you can work but only in a reduced capacity, TPD benefits help make up the difference between your previous earnings and your current wages. You receive TPD benefits as long as your injury affects your ability to earn.
- Permanent total disability (PTD): If your injury prevents you from ever working again, you can receive PTD benefits for life, as long as your condition remains severe enough to qualify as total disability.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD): If your injury causes a permanent impairment but you can still work, PPD benefits cover the impairment based on its severity. Benefits provide for a specific number of weeks related to how severe the impairment is.
Duration of temporary benefits
In Maryland, you can receive temporary total disability benefits for up to 1,000 weeks. This timeframe might adjust based on how quickly you recover or if your condition stabilizes. Temporary partial disability benefits continue as long as your injury impacts your ability to earn.
Permanent disability benefits
You can receive permanent total disability benefits for life if your injury prevents you from working forever. Permanent partial disability benefits depend on the extent of your impairment and are given for a set number of weeks related to how severe the injury is.
Impact of returning to work
If you return to work, either full-time or part-time, your benefits may change. Temporary benefits can end if you resume your pre-injury job or find similar work, depending on how well you perform and your medical status.
Understanding your benefits
Knowing how long you can stay on workers’ comp in Maryland involves understanding how your injury affects your ability to work and the type of benefits you receive. Tracking your recovery and any changes in your condition can help you manage your benefits effectively.