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This site is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, an individual based in Adiyaman, Turkiye. The operator is NOT a licensed attorney, NOT a law firm, and does NOT provide legal advice. This page is informational legal research compiled from public statutes, agency guidance, and legal-education sources. Always verify current law with the official state publisher and consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.

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Maryland workers comp at a glance

Maryland workers compensation operates under the Labor and Employment Article, Title 9, and is administered by the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC). The TTD benefit rate is two-thirds of your pre-injury average weekly wage, subject to the state maximum. Maryland has a distinctive feature not found in most other states: if your injury qualifies as a serious disability, your weekly benefit rate is increased by 25 percent.

RuleMaryland (MD)
TTD rate2/3 of AWW (66.67%)
Maximum weekly cap100% of SAWW
Waiting period3-day waiting period; retroactive if disability exceeds 14 days
Notice to employer10 days (accidental injury); 1 year (occupational disease)
Filing deadlineWithin the limitations period; up to 7 years for certain claims
System typeExclusive administrative (WCC)
Doctor choiceEmployee choice; WCC sets fee schedule
PPD / impairmentScheduled losses by body part; unscheduled injuries rated as percentage of body; weekly rate at 2/3 of AWW for number of weeks per rating
Settlement approvalWCC commissioner approval required for compromise settlements
Unique ruleSerious disability classification adds 25% to the weekly benefit rate (LE 9-625); firefighter/police heart-lung presumption
Governing statuteMaryland Labor and Employment Article, sections 9-101 through 9-1201
Administering agencyWorkers' Compensation Commission (WCC)

The Maryland WCC posts the current SAWW and COLA annually. The 2026 COLA is 2.95% effective January 1, 2026.

Employers in Maryland must report workplace injuries to the WCC within 10 days. If the insurer accepts the claim, benefits should begin promptly. If the claim is denied or disputed, a hearing before a WCC commissioner can be requested. Maryland allows one of the longest filing windows at up to 7 years for certain claims, giving workers more time than most states to pursue compensation.

Maryland TTD and PPD calculator

Enter your average weekly wage to estimate your Maryland workers comp TTD benefit and PPD value. This calculator applies the 2/3 of AWW (66.67%) formula from Maryland Labor and Employment Article, sections 9-101 through 9-1201.

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Maryland Workers Comp Estimator

Based on Maryland Labor and Employment Article, sections 9-101 through 9-1201

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Disclaimer: Informational estimate only. NOT legal advice. The maximum weekly rate changes annually. Verify with Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC). Consult a licensed attorney.

The serious disability 25% bonus and how it changes settlement value

Maryland's most distinctive workers comp feature is the serious disability classification under LE section 9-625. If your work injury results in a serious disability, your weekly compensation rate is increased by 25 percent above the standard rate. This bonus applies to both temporary and permanent disability benefits and can substantially increase the total settlement value.

A serious disability generally means the injury has caused significant permanent impairment that substantially affects your ability to work. Examples may include amputation, severe spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or blindness. The determination is made by the WCC commissioner based on medical evidence.

The practical effect is substantial. Consider a hypothetical worker earning $1,000 per week: the standard TTD rate would be approximately $667 per week (2/3 of AWW). With the serious disability bonus, the rate increases to approximately $833 per week. Over 100 weeks of benefits, that difference amounts to roughly $16,600 in additional compensation.

Maryland also provides special presumptions for firefighters, police officers, and rescue squad members. Heart disease, lung disease, and hypertension that develop during employment are presumed to be occupational diseases. This shifts the burden of proof to the employer to demonstrate the condition is not work-related.

Permanent partial disability in Maryland

Maryland uses both scheduled and unscheduled permanent partial disability ratings. Scheduled injuries cover specific body parts with a fixed number of weeks of compensation per percentage point of impairment. Unscheduled injuries affecting the back, neck, head, or internal organs are rated as a percentage of the body and compensated at the weekly rate for the corresponding number of weeks.

The WCC uses medical evidence, including independent medical examinations, to determine the impairment rating. Maryland recognizes the AMA Guides as a reference but also considers functional loss specific to the worker's occupation. Disputes over the rating percentage are common and are resolved by the WCC commissioner at a hearing.

Settlement rules and approval in Maryland

Maryland settlement agreements, called compromise orders, must be approved by a WCC commissioner. The commissioner reviews the settlement to ensure it is reasonable and in the interest of the injured worker. Once approved, the compromise order typically closes the workers comp claim, though some agreements preserve the right to future medical treatment.

Maryland's 7-year filing window for certain claims means that settlements can occur years after the injury. The 2026 COLA of 2.95 percent, confirmed by the WCC, adjusts the benefit rates annually. Workers negotiating a lump-sum settlement should factor in both the COLA-adjusted value of future benefits and the serious disability bonus if applicable.

Related settlement resources

Frequently asked questions

What is the serious disability bonus in Maryland workers comp?

Under LE section 9-625, if your injury qualifies as a serious disability, your weekly compensation rate is increased by 25 percent. This applies to both temporary and permanent disability benefits and can significantly increase the total settlement value.

How long do I have to report a work injury in Maryland?

For accidental injuries, you must notify your employer within 10 days. For occupational diseases, the notice period is 1 year from the date you knew or should have known the condition was work-related.

Can I choose my own doctor in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland allows injured workers to choose their own treating physician. The WCC sets a fee schedule that governs how much providers can charge for workers comp treatment.

What is the 2026 COLA for Maryland workers comp?

The Maryland WCC confirmed a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.95 percent effective January 1, 2026. This adjustment applies to the maximum benefit rate and affects both new and ongoing claims.

How long can I file a workers comp claim in Maryland?

Maryland allows up to 7 years to file certain workers comp claims, which is one of the longest filing windows in the United States. However, the specific deadline depends on the type of injury and when you knew or should have known it was work-related.

Does Maryland cover firefighter heart disease?

Yes. Maryland provides a statutory presumption that heart disease, lung disease, and hypertension in firefighters, police officers, and rescue squad members are work-related occupational diseases. The employer must prove the condition is not work-related to deny the claim.

Is this page legal advice?

No. SettlementCalculator.xyz is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, a non-attorney individual operator. This page is educational research only. Consult a licensed attorney in Maryland for advice about your specific claim.

How are Maryland workers comp settlements approved?

Compromise settlements must be approved by a WCC commissioner who reviews the terms to ensure they are reasonable and in the injured worker's interest. Once approved, the settlement typically closes the claim.

Cited sources