Maryland Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026

Report the accident immediately

Maryland § 9-704 generally requires oral or written notice to the employer within 10 days after an accidental injury. Written notice should identify the worker, time and place, cause, and nature of the injury. Exceptions can depend on employer knowledge, prejudice, or sufficient reason, so do not rely on them.

Report every affected body part and request medical care. Keep the written notice, witness information, photographs, wage records, medical restrictions, prescriptions, mileage, bills, and all carrier correspondence. The employer’s report does not substitute for the employee’s Commission claim.

File the Employee Claim C-1 with the Commission

Section 9-709 directs an injured employee to file the claim application within 60 days and, when applicable, the chosen physician’s report. The Commission may excuse some late filings when the employer or insurer was not prejudiced or another sufficient reason exists, but an accidental-injury claim is completely barred if not filed within two years, subject to the statute’s specific exceptions.

CompHub allows an unregistered claimant to file online. Complete the form in English, identify each injured body part separately, provide accurate employer and accident information, and retain the filing confirmation. Occupational disease, death, hernia, fraud, and estoppel provisions use distinct rules.

Necessary medical care is a separate benefit

Section 9-660 requires the employer or insurer to provide medical, surgical, hospital, nursing, medicine, apparatus, and prosthetic services required by the compensable injury. Maryland generally permits the employee to choose a treating physician; emergency care should not be delayed.

Tell each provider that the condition is work-related and give the carrier details when available. Obtain written work status and restrictions after visits. Disputes about causation, necessity, authorization, bills, examinations, or treatment can be submitted to the Commission.

Main benefit categories

Review the Maryland Benefits Chart for 2026 rates, waiting days, mileage, and permanent-benefit tiers.

Contested issues are decided by the Commission

An employer or insurer can contest compensability, AWW, disability periods, medical treatment, causation, permanency, or another issue. Parties file issues through the Commission and receive a hearing notice. Medical reports, wage evidence, testimony, and timely exhibits can determine the result.

A party seeking judicial review generally must follow the statutory and court deadlines after the Commission decision. A request for rehearing or modification has separate requirements and does not automatically extend every appeal period. Act promptly on any denial, termination notice, order, or hearing notice.

Practical next steps

1. Give notice now.Report the accident and every injured body part in writing.
2. Obtain medical documentation.Keep work restrictions, referrals, bills, and mileage.
3. File the C-1 claim.Aim for 60 days and never rely on the two-year outside bar.
4. Track rates and notices.Check AWW, injury-year limits, waiting days, and every Commission deadline.