What Are the 2015 Workers’ Compensation Rates For Maryland?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

The state of Maryland adjusts its workers’ compensation rates for inflation annually on January 1, 2015. According to the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation of the State of Maryland, the average weekly wage of workers covered by Maryland Unemployment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 is $1,005.00, and this number is used as the basis for most disability payments in the state.

Listed below are the maximum workers’ compensation benefits for death and disability for injuries following January 1, 2015.

  • Temporary total disability benefits are given to injured employees during the period they are completely unable to work due to an injury. Such employees are entitled to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, not to exceed $1,005 per week.
  • Permanent total disability is paid to workers unable to work at all in their own occupation or any occupation they are suited for based on experience or education. Like temporary total disability, workers who qualify are entitled to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, not to exceed $1,005 per week.
  • Temporary partial disability benefits are given to workers who return to work but are unable to earn as much income as they were able to before they were injured. These workers are given 50 percent of the difference between their average weekly wage and their post-injury earning capacity, not to exceed 50 percent of the state’s average weekly wage, or $503.00.
  • Permanent partial disability (PPD) claims make up over half of all workers’ compensation claims nationwide. Workers who receive these benefits have a permanent injury reducing their earning capacity. Calculating PPD claims is complex; the number of compensable weeks is dependent on which body part is injured. If the number of compensable weeks is less than 75, PPD benefits pay one-third of the injured workers’ average weekly wage, not to exceed $168.00 per week. If compensable weeks are between 75 and 249, the employee receives two-thirds of their average weekly wage, not to exceed $335 per week. If compensable weeks exceed 250, the disability is considered a serious disability and the employee receives two-thirds of his or her average weekly wage, not to exceed $754 per week.
  • Death Benefits for dependents of workers who die on the job have changed very little since October, 2011. Benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the deceased’s average weekly wage at the time of death, not to exceed $1,005.00. This number is then divided by family income to determine what percentage of family income was earned by the deceased. This percentage is multiplied by the previously calculated death benefit to determine the collective amount payable to the deceased’s dependents. For any dependents that are not the spouse or child of the deceased, benefits are capped at $65,000. This cap is adjusted annually alongside the state average weekly wage.

Have a Question About Workers’ Comp in Maryland?

Our workers’ compensation attorneys are available to answer questions for employees in Maryland who are hurt on the job. Whether you need assistance filing the claim from the very beginning, or if you already applied and need to appeal a workers’ comp denial, we can help.

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.