Maryland Workers Comp Statute of Limitations
Missing this deadline doesn't just slow your claim down — in most cases, it ends it. Maryland law sets a hard cutoff for filing, and insurers know exactly how to use a missed date against you.
Filing Deadline
2 years
From the date of injury. Some exceptions apply — see tolling rules below. Not legal advice.
Why This Deadline Exists
Maryland sets this deadline to keep the system functional for everyone — employers need certainty about how long they're exposed to a claim, and injured workers need a predictable window to act within.
When the Deadline Can Be Extended
Not every case runs on the standard timeline. If an injury is the kind that develops over time — repetitive stress or long-term chemical exposure are common examples — Maryland and most states apply some version of a discovery rule, measuring the deadline from when the condition was reasonably diagnosable rather than from the original exposure date. Minors and cases involving employer fraud or concealment can also see the deadline extended. These are exceptions, not the default — confirm applicability directly with Maryland's agency.
What Happens If You Miss It
If the deadline passes without a claim filed, Maryland's workers comp system will generally treat the claim as permanently barred — the insurer isn't required to pay, and there's usually no appeal process for a claim that was never timely filed in the first place.
Maryland Workers Comp Rules
- Waiting period: 3 days
- Attorney contingency fee: 10-30%
- State agency: Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission