Personal Injury
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re asking yourself: “I was injured at work, what do I do now?”
I hear that question every week from injured workers across Maryland, and unfortunately, I also see how easy it is for good, hardworking people to lose benefits simply because they didn’t know the rules or waited too long to act.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what I recommend you do after a work injury in Maryland, whether your employer can fire you for filing a claim, and whether you should wait before contacting an attorney for your workers’ compensation claim. I’ll keep this practical, direct, and based on what I actually see in my practice—not legal theory.
Watch The Video Overview
The single biggest mistake I see injured workers make is not reporting the injury right away.
Many people are afraid. They worry about retaliation. They don’t want to cause trouble. So they try to “tough it out” and keep working. Then weeks or months go by—and by the time they finally reach out for help, the case is already on shaky ground.
Here’s why timing matters so much under Maryland law.
1. Report the Injury Immediately
You should notify your employer as soon as possible after the injury, even if it seems minor at first. Waiting creates doubt. At a hearing before the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission, the employer and insurer will often argue:
The longer the delay, the harder it is to prove the claim is compensable.
2. Get Medical Treatment Right Away
Another major problem I see is delayed medical care. If you don’t seek treatment within the first week or two after a work injury, the insurance company will almost certainly argue that your condition isn’t work-related.
From a practical standpoint, early treatment does two things:
Missing that early treatment window can seriously undermine your case.
3. Know the Filing Deadline
Under Maryland law, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you miss that deadline, you lose your rights, even if your injury was serious and even if you had surgery.
I have seen workers come to me too late—sometimes after surgery—only to learn there is nothing that can be done because the claim was never filed.
This is one of the most common and most emotional questions I hear.
The short answer: your employer should not retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Maryland law prohibits retaliation for asserting your rights.
That said, I want to be honest.
In the real world, employers sometimes make things uncomfortable. They may scrutinize attendance, reassign duties, or suddenly enforce rules more aggressively. In my experience, most employers do not retaliate, but fear of retaliation is very real—and it’s often the reason workers delay reporting injuries in the first place.
Here’s what I tell my clients:
Waiting out of fear often does more damage than filing the claim ever would.
No—and I say that based on experience, not salesmanship.
I strongly believe injured workers should contact an attorney right away. Waiting creates unnecessary risk, especially when it comes to issues most workers don’t even know exist.
Here’s what I routinely help clients with early on:
Correct Calculation of Average Weekly Wage
Your benefits are based on your average weekly wage. If this number is calculated incorrectly—and it often is—you may be underpaid from day one.
Proper Payment of Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
If you’re unable to work, you may be entitled to temporary total disability benefits. I regularly see workers paid late, paid the wrong amount, or cut off too early.
Mileage Reimbursement
Many workers don’t realize they are entitled to reimbursement for mileage spent traveling to and from authorized medical treatment. That adds up over time.
Avoiding Missed Deadlines
Perhaps most importantly, early legal involvement helps ensure that claims are filed on time and benefits are protected. I see far too many cases where someone waited—sometimes for months or even years—and by then, it was simply too late.
Waiting Too Long Can Cost You Everything
One of the hardest conversations I have is with someone who clearly suffered a legitimate work injury, sometimes even requiring surgery, but waited too long to talk to an attorney.
By the time they call:
At that point, there may be no legal remedy left. Those cases are preventable.
Every case is different, but depending on your injury, you may be entitled to:
Getting the full scope of benefits often requires proactive advocacy—not just filling out forms
If you were injured on the job and are asking, “I was injured at work, what do I do now?”, the answer is simple:
Fear, delay, and misinformation are the biggest obstacles I see injured workers face—not the law itself.
How I Can Help
If you or a loved one was injured at work, contact me at SG Legal Group. My team and I will help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and pursue the benefits you deserve under Maryland law.
Call 410-618-1277 or visit our Contact page to schedule a consultation.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, please contact me directly.
Joshua C. Sussex, Esq.
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