Workers' comp claim denied in Maryland: what to do next

If you get no benefits, or not the benefits you believe you are owed, ask for a hearing before the Commission by filing an Issues form listing the questions in dispute.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Maryland

Who decides: Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission (a commissioner hears contested cases)
First step: If you get no benefits, or not the benefits you believe you are owed, ask for a hearing before the Commission by filing an Issues form listing the questions in dispute. A commissioner listens to both sides like a judge and decides.
Form: Issues form (WCC H24R)
Deadline: Your claim must be filed within 60 days after the accident (excusable; absolutely barred after 2 years). An appeal to circuit court must be filed within 30 days from the date the Commission's order is mailed.
Medical disagreements: Disputes about medical treatment or bills are raised on the Issues form and decided by a commissioner at a hearing. The employer or insurer may send you to its own doctor; it must repay lost wages for time spent at that exam.
: Request for Emergency Hearing (WCC H26R)
Appealing the decision: Petition for judicial review in the circuit court for the county where you live, where the employer has its principal place of business, or where the injury happened, within 30 days from the date the order was mailed.

File your Employee Claim Form (C-1) with the Commission, if you have not already.
File an Issues form (WCC H24R) raising the issues in dispute; the employer or insurer may file its own issues by the consideration date.
The Commission sets a hearing and mails a hearing notice. You can ask for an emergency hearing in urgent cases.
A commissioner holds the hearing and issues an order.
If you disagree, file a petition for judicial review in a Maryland circuit court within 30 days of the date the order was mailed.

Law: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. §§ 9-709, 9-737

Source: wcc.state.md.us

Sources

The official sources for Maryland are listed on the Maryland page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org