Jackson County, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
An employee can have a Jackson County, 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 Jackson County. Any worker can get hurt on the job, even in occupations that seem low-risk.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the following occupations see the most workplace injuries and illnesses:
- 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. All other Jackson County MO employers not in the construction sector 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 Jackson County, MO employer has workers' compensation insurance that covers you, speak to Missouri Injury Law, your Jackson County, MO workers' comp law firm, right away. Jackson County, MO workers' comp insurance covers certain individuals in certain situations. Most importantly, you need to have suffered an injury during and because of your employment. This is easy to demonstrate in sudden, traumatic events like an iron beam falling on a construction site that crushes the bones in your foot. 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, as long as you can prove that the occupational conditions were the prevailing factor for your injury and resulting disability.Anyone who has been hurt or fallen ill because of their work conditions 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. 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 Jackson County, MO workers' comp claim could be denied. Do not miss out on the compensation you deserve because you miss a deadline. To maximize the number of damages you can recover in a workers compensation settlement, it is essential to consult a workers comp lawyer in Jackson County, MO as soon as possible. A workers' comp lawyer will help you file your claim on time and make sure you do not lose your case due to bureaucratic red tape or state statutes.
Some of the typical types of damages one can recover in a workers' comp case 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: Your workers' comp settlement could include coverage for vocation rehabilitation services. If your injury leaves you unable to continue in the field you were in, your employer may cover some level of ongoing education. This will allow you the chance to find 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 Jackson County 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 Jackson County, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp benefits are set up to be a streamlined process, but that doesn't always mean that it will be simple or easy. Each case should be considered individually, so you should think about the factors that are unique to your case. Prior to hiring a Jackson County, MO workers' comp lawyer, talk to the attorneys of Missouri Injury Law for free. 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, it is helpful to understand in what ways 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. 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. An experienced workers' comp lawyer is familiar with workplace injuries such as yours. They can calculate the true value of your case and know how to negotiate with insurance companies. 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 Jackson County workers' comp claim on your own and it gets denied, you need a workers' comp lawyer on your side. 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 recover additional coverage through a third party claim.
- Protect your rights. Your Jackson County, MO workers' comp lawyer will protect you from being taken advantage of by an insurance provider who tries to lowball you, an employer who tries to avoid giving you the benefits to which you are entitled, 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 Jackson County, MO
If you are struggling with a significant 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 Jackson County, MO commiserate to the status of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Jackson County, MO, are always ready to help you recover benefits for present or future damages stemming from the accident, and offer support during the Jackson County, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717