A new
report by ProPublica showed the vast differences in the dollar values of
various body parts that are lost due to a work injury. The report also shows that essentially every
workers’ compensation case is different because every injury and the resulting
compensation are different. For arms,
legs, feet, and eyes Maryland ranked in the top ten for highest
compensation awards. For example, a
lost leg in Maryland has a maximum compensation value of $301,600, almost
double the national average of $153,221 and more than six times higher than
some other states. Further, Maryland
actually ranks second and third respectively for a lost foot and eye, with
maximum awards more than double the national average, and more than eight times
higher than some other states.
While
these numbers are certainly encouraging for Maryland work injury victims, it is
rare that a workers’ compensation case actually results in these maximum
compensation payments. Most importantly,
the injury must have resulted in total loss of the body part to even have a
chance at the maximum award. In reality,
a complete loss of limb is rare, and serious injury to a body part is much more
common. As a result, the compensation
rates for injuries where a body is not lost are much lower, and involve a more
complex and subjective calculation. When
limbs and other body parts are lost or amputated due to a work injury, states
have set calculation methods for determining dollar amounts. Final award decisions are ultimately made by
the state’s workers’ compensation commission.
Portner & Shure attorneys have recently earned
several favorable workers’ compensation awards for clients, including $395,000
(run over and killed by car in employer parking lot), $115,000 (leg below knee
amputated due to injury), and $100,000 (eye injury resulting from use of nail
gun).
In 2014, there were
over 24,000 workers’ compensation claims filed in Maryland, with back injuries
comprising 28% of all injuries. The top four
industries accounting for the most workers’ compensation claims are policemen
and security, truckers, colleges or schools (including daycare centers), and
hospitals. When you are in an accident
at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits whether you,
another employee or your employer is at fault.
The following are the
most common accidents that occur in the workplace:
·
Construction accidents
·
Slip and fall accidents
·
Driving accidents (including coming and
going to and from work)
·
Railroad accidents
·
Industrial accidents
·
Fire and explosion accidents
·
Electrocution and electric burn
accidents
·
Heavy or defective equipment and
machinery accidents (crane and forklift)
·
Falling from an elevation accidents (i.e.
ladders, stairs, platforms, scaffolding)
The following are the
most common injuries that result from the accidents listed above:
·
Arm, hand, and finger injuries
·
Back, neck, and spine injuries
·
Leg, knee, and foot injuries
·
Repetitive stress or overexertion
injuries
·
Dog bites (UPS, FedEx, USPS)
If you or a family member has been
injured as a result of an injury at work and would like a free legal
consultation, or if you would like more information on workers' compensation,
please feel free to contact one of our Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers
at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Workers-Compensation/Permanent-Total-Disability.shtml
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