Have you suffered a permanent disability in Baltimore, Maryland? WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can help when you call (410) 469-9349. We offer a free consultation with a Baltimore permanent disability lawyer dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for your future.
Our attorneys have a strong track record of success and work tirelessly to secure the compensation our clients deserve. You pay nothing unless we win your case, giving you peace of mind as we pursue justice on your behalf.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.
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Why Choose WGK Personal Injury Lawyers To Help You With a Permanent Disability Claim in Maryland
If you’ve suffered a serious work injury in Baltimore, MD, securing permanent disability benefits can be a critical part of your recovery. At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced legal team understands how overwhelming this process can be.
Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- With nearly 90 years of collective experience, we’ve helped countless Maryland workers navigate the system and recover the compensation they deserve.
- We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for our injured clients.
- Our firm consists of three generations of Baltimore personal injury lawyers.
If you’re facing a long-term injury or disability, don’t go through the legal process alone. Call today for a free consultation with a Baltimore personal injury attorney.
Types of Permanent Disability Benefits in Maryland
If you are injured at work, your injuries may prevent you from returning to work or restrict your earning potential. When this happens, an injured worker may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
Common causes of permanent disability include exposure to toxic substances, amputations, spinal cord injuries, machinery accidents, repetitive stress injuries, and traumatic brain injury.
There are two types of permanent disability benefits available under the Maryland workers’ compensation system:
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
A work injury may result in an impairment that restricts your ability to work. While you can work in some capacity, your impairment prevents you from earning the same income as before your injury. Permanent partial disability benefits compensate you based on the severity of your impairment.
Once you reach maximum medical improvement, a physician determines your percentage of impairment. The PPD benefits are based on the impairment rating and the type of impairment. Generally, you receive PPD benefits for a specific number of weeks.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
If your work injury prevents you from performing any type of work, you qualify for permanent disability benefits. PTD benefits are paid for life, provided the impairment continues to be a total disability.
Maryland workers’ compensation laws presume a person is permanently disabled when they lose the use of any of the following:
- Both hands
- Both feet
- Both eyes
- Both legs
- Both arms
- The combination of any two of the following: an arm, foot, eye, leg, or hand.
Temporary total disability (TTD) can be paid for up to 1,000 weeks (about 19 years). After that time, you must file for permanent disability benefits to continue receiving workers’ compensation.
Calculating the Amount of Permanent Disability Benefits
The maximum compensation paid for permanent disability is determined as of January 1 of each year. Permanent total disability payments are calculated based on your average weekly wages. You receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, not to exceed the state cap. For 2025, the state cap for PPD benefits is $1,493 per week.
Permanent partial disability payments are calculated based on your impairment and the date of your award. For awards less than 75 weeks occurring on or after January 1, 2025, the rate is 33 1/3% of your average weekly wages (AWW), not to exceed 16.7% of the state AWWs or $250. If the award period is more than 75 weeks but less than 250 weeks, the rate is two-thirds of your AWW, not to exceed 1/3 of the state AWW or $498.
Serious disability benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wages. The amount cannot exceed 75% of the state AWW or $747.
Claims Process for Permanent Disability in Maryland
Report your work injury to your employer within 10 days, but it is always wise to report the injury as soon as possible. File a formal claim with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission within 60 days. Failing to report an accident or file a claim within the deadline can result in a denial of your claim.
You must seek medical treatment for your injuries with a Maryland-licensed doctor. Continue with the doctor’s treatment plan. Following the treatment plan is essential to establish a permanent impairment. Once you reach maximum medical improvement, your doctor issues an impairment rating.
Permanent disability claims can be challenging. You may be required to attend an independent medical examination and hearings. You may need expert witnesses to testify on your behalf regarding permanent work restrictions. Working with an attorney gives you the best chance of winning your case.
Our Baltimore Permanent Disability Attorneys Are Here To Help
Being injured on the job in Baltimore, Maryland, is a traumatic experience. At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we help workers seek fair disability compensation when a job-related injury results in a permanent disability.
Call today to schedule a free case review to discuss your legal rights after a workplace accident with a Baltimore permanent disability lawyer.
