Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The Maryland workers’ compensation law requires employers to purchase insurance to pay compensation to employees for work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or deaths, regardless of whether someone is at fault (the employer, the injured employee, a co-worker, or a non-employee).  This non-fault compensation is the employee’s exclusive remedy against the employer for work-related injuries; the injured employee may not sue the employer in an attempt to recover greater compensation. The compensation available includes medical and rehabilitation expenses, a percentage of lost wages, and an amount for impairment of earning capacity.  

The amount of the insurance premiums varies with the accident rate of the industry and of the specific employer, so an employer has a financial incentive to maintain a safe and healthy work environment, to hire competent and careful employees, and to train and discipline them in on the job safety and health practices.  Employers may obtain coverage for their employees in one of three ways:

The employer may insure with the State Accident Fund, which is a non-profit self-supporting agency of the State of Maryland.  For more information, please contact:

State Accident Fund Underwriting Fund
6900 Loch Raven Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21204
(410) 832-1998

The employer may insure with any company authorized to write this coverage in the State.  To obtain a directory of licensed insurance companies, please contact:

Insurance Commissioner
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 468-2000
(800) 492-6116

The employer may self-insure with the prior permission of the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission.  For more information, please contact:

Director of Self Insurance
Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission
6 North Liberty Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(410) 333-4700