Last month, we blogged about why employers sometimes discourage injured workers from filing a Workers’ Compensation claim in Maryland (see “The Top 3 Reasons Employers Tell Injured Workers Not to File — And Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Them,” June 8, 2009). Now, let’s look at why documenting your injury and seeking immediate medical attention — coupled with consulting an experienced attorney who knows the system — is so important to your future well-being.
“Causal Connection” and the Maryland Workers Comp Two-Year Limitation
If you’re hurt at work, the good news is you have two years to file a Work Comp case in Maryland. However filing and winning are two different things. Let’s say you bang your knee at work, it swells up, and you go to the emergency room. Your employer says, “Oh God, don’t file a work comp claim, I’ll pay your medical bills and give you some time off.” Doesn’t sound like a bad offer at the time, and you accept.