Filing a Maryland workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Maryland process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Maryland sources, verified as of June 2026.
Maryland at a Glance
| Report to employer | 10 days to give notice of an accidental injury to the employer (written notice preferred). For a work-related death, dependents have 30 days to notify the employer. Late notice may be excused by the Commission if the employer was not prejudiced. |
| Deadline to file | 2 years. An injured worker generally must file a claim with the Commission within 2 years of the accidental injury or the claim is completely barred (Labor & Employment §9-709). A separate provision asks workers to file within 60 days, but missing the 60 days does NOT bar the claim — the Commission can excuse it if the employer was not prejudiced; the hard 2-year deadline is the one that bars the claim. Occupational disease: file within 2 years of disablement/death or of first actual knowledge the condition was work-related (3 years for pulmonary dust disease) (§9-711). Death benefit claims: generally within 18 months of the date of death. |
| Where to file | Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC). The injured worker files Form C-1, “Employee Claim Form,” online through the WCC’s CompHub portal at comphub.wcc.state.md.us. After e-filing, the signed original must be submitted to the WCC; failure to provide the signed form within 10 days of electronic filing can result in dismissal. |
| Choose your doctor? | In Maryland the injured worker generally has the right to choose their own treating physician (including specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists). The employer/insurer may direct initial or emergency care or hand you a list of preferred providers, but you are not required to keep treating with them. The chosen provider must accept the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Guide rates, and treatment may require authorization. The employer’s insurer may also require an Independent Medical Examination (IME) by a doctor it selects. |
| Benefits start | Wage-loss (temporary total disability) benefits generally begin after a 3-day waiting period; if the disability lasts more than 14 days, compensation is also paid retroactively for those first 3 days. TTD is paid at two-thirds (2/3) of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to the state maximum (for 2026, the maximum weekly rate equals the state average weekly wage of 1537). Benefits may be delayed if the insurer disputes the claim, in which case payment follows a Commission award. |
In This Maryland Guide:
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Maryland
Filing a Maryland workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the Maryland process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from Maryland sources, verified as of June 2026.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Maryland
First steps: 1) Get medical attention immediately (emergency care if needed). 2) Report/notify the employer of the injury in writing as soon as possible — within 10 days for an accidental injury. 3) Keep records of the date, how the injury happened, witnesses, and all medical visits. 4) File Form C-1 with the Maryland WCC online via CompHub.
5) Follow up to obtain the claim number and Notice of Employee’s Claim. Many claimants also consult a licensed Maryland attorney early.
1) Worker reports the injury to the employer (within 10 days). 2) Employer reports a disabling injury (disability over 3 days, or death) to the WCC within 10 days of notice. 3) Worker files Form C-1 with the WCC online (CompHub) and submits the signed original. 4) WCC issues a claim number and a Notice of Employee’s Claim (typically about a week after the signed form is received).
5) The employer/insurer investigates and either accepts the claim and begins benefits or contests it. 6) If contested, either party can request a hearing before a Commissioner. 7) The Commissioner issues an Award (Order). 8) A party who disagrees can seek a rehearing or appeal.
Choosing a Doctor in Maryland
In Maryland the injured worker generally has the right to choose their own treating physician (including specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists). The employer/insurer may direct initial or emergency care or hand you a list of preferred providers, but you are not required to keep treating with them. The chosen provider must accept the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Guide rates, and treatment may require authorization.
The employer’s insurer may also require an Independent Medical Examination (IME) by a doctor it selects.
What to Do If Your Maryland Claim Is Denied
If the claim is denied or any issue is disputed, the worker (or any party) can request a hearing before a Commissioner of the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission by filing the issues with the WCC.
After the Commissioner’s decision, a dissatisfied party may (a) request a rehearing by the Commission within 15 days (granted only for an error of law or newly discovered evidence), and/or (b) appeal to the Maryland Circuit Court for the county. Beyond that, further review can be sought in the Appellate Court of Maryland. Confirm specific steps with the Commission and a licensed Maryland attorney.
Appeal deadline: 30 days. An appeal to the Circuit Court must be filed within 30 days of the Commission’s order/decision. A request for rehearing by the Commission must be filed within 15 days of the Commissioner’s decision.
Was your claim denied? A denial is not the end of the road in Maryland — many denials are overturned on appeal. A workers’ comp attorney can review your case, usually for a free consultation.
What Happens After You File in Maryland
Once your claim is filed in Maryland, the employer’s insurer reviews it and either accepts it, asks for more information, or denies it. If it is accepted, your medical treatment is covered and your wage benefits begin after the waiting period.
Keep copies of everything — the injury report, your medical records, and any letters from the insurer — because they are what protect your claim if there is ever a dispute.
Common Mistakes That Hurt a Maryland Claim
The two most common ways injured workers in Maryland lose benefits are missing a deadline and gaps in medical treatment. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan, and do not assume a verbal mention to a supervisor counts as official notice. If anything about the process is unclear, your state workers’-comp board can walk you through the next step.
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Other Maryland claim rules: Maryland gives injured workers an unusually broad right to choose their own treating physician (subject to the state Medical Fee Guide). The 2-year statute of limitations under §9-709 does not begin to run until the employer files the required First Report of Injury with the Commission, so the deadline can be tolled if the employer failed to report.
A separate 60-day filing request exists but is excusable; the 2-year bar is the controlling deadline. The state maximum weekly benefit is tied to the state average weekly wage and is updated annually (1537 for 2026). This is neutral reference information, not legal advice — many claimants confirm deadlines with the Commission and a licensed Maryland attorney, because missing a deadline can permanently bar the claim.
Filing Your Maryland Workers Comp Claim the Right Way
A Maryland workers comp claim stands or falls on two things: hitting the deadlines and documenting the injury. Report the injury to your employer within the state window, file the Maryland workers comp claim with the right agency before the statute of limitations runs out, and keep seeing your doctor.
Most denied claims come down to a missed deadline or a thin medical record — get both right and your Maryland workers comp claim is on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Maryland?
In Maryland, you generally must tell your employer within 10 days to give notice of an accidental injury to the employer (written notice preferred). For a work-related death, dependents have 30 days to notify the employer. Late notice may be excused by the Commission if the employer was not prejudiced. of the injury. Report it in writing as soon as you can — waiting can put your benefits at risk.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in Maryland?
The Maryland statute of limitations to file is 2 years. An injured worker generally must file a claim with the Commission within 2 years of the accidental injury or the claim is completely barred (Labor & Employment §9-709).
A separate provision asks workers to file within 60 days, but missing the 60 days does NOT bar the claim — the Commission can excuse it if the employer was not prejudiced; the hard 2-year deadline is the one that bars the claim. Occupational disease: file within 2 years of disablement/death or of first actual knowledge the condition was work-related (3 years for pulmonary dust disease) (§9-711).
Death benefit claims: generally within 18 months of the date of death.. Reporting the injury and filing the claim are two separate deadlines — do not rely on one to cover the other.
What if my Maryland workers’ comp claim is denied?
If the claim is denied or any issue is disputed, the worker (or any party) can request a hearing before a Commissioner of the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission by filing the issues with the WCC.
After the Commissioner’s decision, a dissatisfied party may (a) request a rehearing by the Commission within 15 days (granted only for an error of law or newly discovered evidence), and/or (b) appeal to the Maryland Circuit Court for the county. Beyond that, further review can be sought in the Appellate Court of Maryland. Confirm specific steps with the Commission and a licensed Maryland attorney.
Official Maryland Sources & Resources
- Maryland Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC): https://www.wcc.state.md.us
- Maryland Workers’ Comp Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/labor-and-employment/title-9/subtitle-7/section-9-709/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Maryland workers comp claim guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Deadlines and procedures change — confirm the current rule with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney.
More Maryland Workers’ Comp Guides
- Maryland Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Maryland Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.