Clayton, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
An employee can have a Clayton, MO workers comp claim for any they experience as a result of their job. There are countless ways that a person could become injured on the job in Clayton. Even seemingly low-risk environments and job duties can lead to injury.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the occupations in which the highest number of injuries and illnesses occur are:
- Laborers
- Truck drivers
- Janitors and cleaners
- Nursing assistants
- General maintenance and repair workers
- Retail salespersons
- Stock clerks
- Registered nurses
- Delivery drivers
- Construction laborers
Workers Compensation Settlements
Each state has its own laws and requirements when it comes to workers' comp cases. In Missouri, construction industry companies with at least one employee must carry Missouri workers' compensation insurance. All other Clayton MO employers not in the construction sector must have workers' compensation insurance if they have five or more employees. There are certain exemptions, such as for work done for private households and some unpaid volunteer work. If you have any questions about your employer's workers' compensation insurance and if you are covered, speak to Missouri Injury Law, your Clayton, MO workers' comp law firm, as soon as possible. Clayton, MO workers' comp insurance covers certain individuals in certain situations. Most importantly, your injury must have come about during your time of employment and be caused by your job in some way. For traumatic accidents such as losing a limb in a machine-related accident, this is pretty straightforward. However, workers' comp can also be used for long term effects that occur over time, like diseases caused by prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals or back problems due to repetitive motions, but you must be able to show that the occupational conditions were the prevailing factor for your injury and resulting disability.If you feel that you have suffered harm as a result of your job, you should file a workers' comp claim. In Missouri, a worker must file their workers' comp claim within two years of when the injury took place. You are also required to report the injury to your employer. Do this as soon as possible. If you do not report your injury within 30 days of when it occurred, you may not be able to receive workers' comp benefits in Clayton, MO. Do not miss out on the compensation you deserve because you miss a deadline. To get the entire value of your workers' compensation claim, talk to a workers comp lawyer in Clayton, MO as soon as possible. A workers' comp lawyer will work to get the best possible outcome for your case, making sure you file correctly and don't get caught up by the small print.
Damages you may recover in a workers' comp settlement may include:
- Medical Expenses: You need and deserve the proper medical care after suffering workplace harm, regardless of the cost. Missouri workers' comp covers all approved medical testing, treatment, prescriptions, and medical devices. Keep track of all medical care you receive, so you can receive coverage or reimbursement for things like rehabilitation services, surgeries, x-rays, hospital stays, and other medical procedures.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Your workers' comp settlement could include coverage for vocation rehabilitation services. For example, if you're unable to continue your job because of your injuries, your employer may cover some level of ongoing education. This will allow you the opportunity to embark on a new, sustainable career.
- Mileage Reimbursement: When you're dealing with workers compensation claims, you'll often have to visit multiple doctors. Some, especially specialists, may be outside of the Clayton area. Missouri workers' comp insurance will cover travel mileage and expenses for up to 250 miles there and 250 miles back for any necessary medical care.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes life-changing injuries that cause continued pain and suffering. Your family members are also impacted and may receive benefits for their suffering due to your disability.Survivor benefits, which cover the deceased's weekly wages and funeral expenses, are available for family members of work injury victims who lose their life as a result of their injuries.
- Lost Wages: When you suffer an occupational injury that leaves you unable to work, workers' comp serves to replace the income you are missing. Missouri calculates weekly payment amounts depending on how severe and permanent your injury and resulting disability are. You may receive temporary total disability (TTD), permanent total disability (PTD), or permanent partial disability (PPD). These wages are calculated as a percentage of the state's average weekly wage.
How A Clayton, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp insurance is designed to be a streamlined process. Still, bringing a claim is not necessarily an easy, straightforward doing. Each case should be considered individually, so you should think about the factors that are unique to your case. Prior to hiring a Clayton, MO workers' comp lawyer, you can speak to us at Missouri Injury Law for free. This conversation will give you clarity on whether a lawyer would add value to your case and if Gene Hou and the Missouri Injury Law team is the best representation for you. When making that decision, consider how having a workers' comp lawyer on your case can help you.
Your workers' comp lawyer will:
- Gather and develop evidence. Your attorney can take care of tasks like obtaining and organizing documents such as medical records and documentation. Your workers' comp lawyer will also be able to obtain other valuable evidence such as statements from witnesses and testimony from vocational experts that can support your claim.
- Negotiate. Workers' comp lawyers are experienced in these cases and have worked with injuries such as yours. They know the true value of your case and are familiar with tactics insurance companies use to try to settle for a lower amount. A lawyer with experience and authority in workers' comp cases will help you secure a much higher settlement than you could likely get on your own.
- File additional claims. First of all, if you file a Clayton workers' comp claim on your own and it gets denied, you need a lawyer to help you with a successful appeal. When you've been harmed in the line of work, you are entitled to workers' comp coverage. A claim can be denied for many reasons, and a lawyer can help you appeal the denial. In addition, if your workers' comp settlement does not cover the extent of the damages you suffered, your lawyer can help you recover additional coverage through a third party claim.
- Protect your rights. Your Clayton, MO workers' comp lawyer will protect you against the tactics of insurance companies, an employer who resists giving you the benefits you are legally allowed, and can give you recourse if you experience retaliation at work for filing a claim.
- Represent you. If your workers' comp claim ends up going to court, you are at an advantage if you already have a workers' comp lawyer. They will already be familiar with your case and have all the necessary documentation. Your workers' comp lawyer is experienced in these cases and knows what it takes to win. They will help you understand everything throughout the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Workers' Comp Law Firm in Clayton, MO
If you have suffered an acute injury, chronic pain, or other health problems due to a sudden work accident or exposure through your regular work conditions, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your suffering in Clayton, MO commiserate to the status of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Clayton, MO, are here to help you recover benefits for present or future damages stemming from the accident, and offer support during the Clayton, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717