Ferguson, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
A workers' comp claim in Ferguson, MO can be filed for any work-related accident or condition that causes disability through illness or injury. An employee in Ferguson can get hurt at work many different ways. Any worker can get hurt on the job, even in occupations that seem low-risk.
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
There are different workers' comp laws for each state. In Missouri, construction industry companies with at least one employee must carry Missouri workers' compensation insurance. Other employers in Ferguson, MO are required to 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 are unsure whether your Ferguson, MO employer has workers' compensation insurance that covers you, speak to Missouri Injury Law, your Ferguson, MO workers' comp law firm, right away. To be covered by Ferguson, MO workers' comp insurance, you must meet certain conditions. 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, you may also be covered by workers' comp insurance for diseases or injuries caused by exposure over time, such as cancer or carpal tunnel syndrome, as long as you can prove 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. You have two years from the time of the injury to file a workers comp claim in Missouri. However, before you officially file a claim, you must also report your injury to your employer. Do this as soon as possible. You must report your injury within 30 days of the accident, or your Ferguson, MO workers' comp claim could be denied. Beyond this time frame, victims, regardless of their injuries, forfeit all rights to compensation for their injuries. To maximize the number of damages you can recover in a workers compensation settlement, talk to a workers comp lawyer in Ferguson, MO right away. 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: After suffering a workplace accident or illness, medical bills are inevitable. 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: As a workers' comp victim, you may be able to recover reimbursement for vocational rehabilitation. 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, ongoing career that you can sustain.
- 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 Ferguson 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: When you suffer a disabling injury or illness, you experience on-going 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. There are different calculations based on the severity and permanence of the work-related disability. 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 Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, MO workers' comp lawyer, talk to the attorneys of Missouri Injury Law for a complimentary consultation. This conversation will determine if you need a lawyer for your case, and if Gene Hou and his team are a good fit for you. To decide if you need a lawyer, consider how having a workers' comp lawyer on your case can help you.
Your workers' comp lawyer will:
- Gather and develop evidence. Your lawyer can do the work for you when it comes to requesting documents like medical records, and keeping them organized. They will also be able to record witness statements, take expert testimony, and build your case with other supporting evidence.
- 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. Your lawyer's expertise will help you secure a much higher settlement than you could likely get on your own.
- File additional claims. First of all, if your Ferguson workers' comp claim is initially denied, you need a lawyer to help you with a successful appeal. If your injury is truly a result of your occupation and it has caused you any suffering, you deserve an appropriate workers' comp settlement. A claim can be denied for many reasons, and a lawyer can help you make the most of your appeal. In addition, if your workers' comp settlement does not cover the extent of the damages you suffered, your lawyer can help you with a third party claim against other parties who were also responsible for your suffering.
- Protect your rights. Your Ferguson, 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 protect you 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. You will be prepared with legal representation that is familiar with your case and already has the documentation they need. 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 Ferguson, MO
If you are struggling with 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 a workers' compensation settlement in Ferguson, MO commiserate to the status of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Ferguson, MO, are always ready to discuss your rights to workers compensation benefits in Ferguson, MO, and offer support during the Ferguson, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717