Workers Comp Missouri: What You Need to Know
If you have been hurt at work in Missouri, you need a workers comp attorney. Once you have been hurt on the job, your employer will have an attorney and insurance adjuster working for them. Their goal is to diminish the extent of your injury and to minimize the amount of money the law requires them to compensate you. It will be very difficult for you to battle these attorneys and insurance agents on your own because you are hurt, and the laws about workers comp in Missouri are very complicated, technical, and full of traps for the unknowing.
A work-related accident is a traumatic experience. If you’re injured at work or have contracted an occupational disease due to the course and scope of your job, the worker’s comp Missouri law may offer some relief from the physical, mental, and financial stress of being hurt and out of work.
State law requires most companies to purchase workers compensation insurance, which pays for medical care and lost time benefits for workers who are hurt at their job. Businesses with five or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The legislation requires timely payment of benefits at no charge to the injured party in the event that they are the victim of a work-related injury or illness covered under the law.
There are some qualifications you must meet to be covered by workers compensation Missouri. Most importantly, the ailment must have arisen out of and in the course of employment. Additionally, the work injury or occupational exposure must be the “prevailing factor” in causing both the resulting medical condition and/or disability. Ailments for which the trigger is unknown or accidents that occur outside of work aren’t covered by workers compensation Missouri. Typically, accidents that occur when the worker is traveling to and from work are excluded.
Workers comp regulations in Missouri are complicated, and there are limitations as to when you can file a workers’ compensation claim if you’ve been injured and receive maximum workers’ compensation rates for death benefits. Workers comp Missouri attorneys like those at Buchanan, Williams, & O’Brien can help you understand and follow the law, file your claim in time, and get you the settlement you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury
You need to take some important measures to make sure your rights are protected in a workers’ compensation insurance claim. Here are some tips for doing that.
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You need to inform your supervisor or manager about the incident and the nature of your injury.
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You may need to submit a written notice with details of the incident, including the date, time, details of the incident, and description of your injuries.
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Keep a copy of the same notice for yourself, as you might need it in the future.
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No matter how minor your injuries seem, you need to undergo a medical examination and seek medical attention.
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Show up at all follow-up appointments and follow your healthcare provider’s treatment recommendation. If you neglect your medical care, it might impact your eligibility for workers’ compensation insurance.
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All details about your injuries and treatments should be documented, and it will help if you take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any equipment or conditions that contributed to your injury.
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Request your employer or contact the Missouri Division of Workers Compensation for appropriate claim forms and complete them accurately. You need to submit the claim within the required time and make sure to keep a copy of it.
Navigating a Missouri workers’ compensation insurance claim is challenging. The settlement amount should pay you for the lost wages, medical treatment, and other related expenses. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you avail the workers’ compensation benefits, decide workers’ compensation payments for maximum medical improvement, and represent you in hearings and meetings.
BWO Provides Statewide Coverage for Workers Compensation Missouri
At BWO, our attorneys specialize in workers compensation Missouri and have been handling workers’ compensation cases in Joplin and the surrounding area for over forty years. We cover workers compensation Missouri cases all over the state, including in St. Louis, MO. You need a workers compensation Missouri lawyer from Buchanan, Williams, & O’Brien working for you to make sure you get the full compensation you need due to your workplace injury. Workers compensation Missouri attorney will represent you and fight for your best interests against the employer’s army of attorneys and insurance adjusters.
If you have been hurt at work, hire BWO as your St. Louis worker’s comp lawyer. You do not owe us anything until we get money for you. We make sure the big companies and insurance companies do not take advantage of injured people. BWO will protect your rights and make sure the employer and insurance company fully pay for the injuries you have suffered.
We are workers comp Missouri attorneys with office locations in Joplin, St. Louis, and Carthage. This allows us to handle workers’ compensation claims throughout Missouri, including Springfield, St. Louis, Monett, Columbia, Lebanon, Sikeston, Jefferson City, Marshall, Kansas City, Independence, Rolla, Cape Girardeau, Sedalia, Warsaw, Buffalo, St. Charles, St. Joseph, and anywhere else. Contact us today to start helping you!
The worker’s compensation practice is led by Charles Buchanan, along with his son, Andrew Buchanan. Learn more about our experience and results with Workers’ Compensation cases in Missouri: