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- SAWW
The state average weekly wage in Maryland. This is the maximum compensation rate. The state average weekly wage in Maryland in 2011: $940. The SAWW in MD in 2012: $965.
- Scar
A scar can entitle you to workers compensation benefits in Maryland. However, the scar generally must be pretty bad for you to get compensation - on the order of using the words disfigurement or mutilation. A small scar is generally not compensable under workers' comp.
- Serious Disability
When a claimant is permanently partially disabled for a period of time in excess of 250 weeks. Serious disability pays a higher rate of compensation.
- Settlement
An final agreement of compromise between an employee and employer as to workers' compensation benefits and medical benefits. To read more about settlements, click here.
- Sick Leave
Compensation that an employee receives from the employer when they are unable to work due to injury or illness. This is not the same as temporary total disability, and an employee may not collect both sick leave and TTD benefits.
- Sole Proprietor
A business that legally has no separate existence from its owner. A sole proprietor is not required to provide workers' compensation insurance, however, the employer and employee can jointly elect to be covered by the Act.
- Spondylolisthesis
Slipping of the vertebrae that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine. It is caused by a defect or fracture of one or both wing-shaped parts of a vertebra, and can result in vertebrae slipping backward, forward, or over a bone below. Spondylolisthesis is treated with the strengthening of supportive abdominal and back muscles through physical therapy. (Source: WebMD) See full article on value of back injuries in workers' compensation.
- State Average Weekly Wage
See SAWW.
- Statutory Employer
Typically, a statutory employer is a general contractor. When the general contractor performs work and then hires subcontractors, employees of the sub can typically get workers' compensation under the general. Of course, in most situations, the injured worker would first try to recover from their employer - the subcontractor. Only if this option were not available would the statutory employer - the general contractor - have liability.
- Stipulate
In some circumstances, a concession of fact or opinion by the opposing party. At the ending of a workers' comp case, stipulation is an agreement to close a case with a certain rating attached, while still allowing for the possibility the case can be reopened.
- Subcontractor
One who takes a portion of a contract from the principal contractor or from another subcontractor. Subcontractors are deemed to be employees of general contractors, although there is no strict employee-employer relationship. See Statutory Employer for more information.
- Subpoena Duces Tecum
A subpoena for the production of evidence. A subpoena duces tecum may be served upon a physician for access to medical records.
- Subrogation
The substitution of one party for another with reference to a lawful claim, demand, or right. Subrogation usually occurs when there is a third party claim associated with a workers' compensation case, or if the injured worker is receiving compensation from more than one source for the same occurrence.
- Subsequent Injury Fund
A statutorily created entity whose purpose is to persuade the employer to employ handicapped individuals by limiting liability which the employer would otherwise incur, in the event that a previously disabled or injured individual sustained a subsequent injury. For more information, please click here.
- Suitable Gainful Employment
Employment, including self-employment, that restores the disabled covered employee, to the extent possible, at the time of the accidental personal injury or disablement from occupational disease
- Supervisor
One of the people you can notify about a workplace injury is your supervisor. Suits against supervisors for failing to provide a safe workplace are not permitted.
- Surveillance
Observation of your personal day-to-day life by the employer / insurer. They do watch for you faking it. Surveillance video has been known to get presented at workers' comp hearings.
