Kansas City, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
An employee can have a Kansas City, 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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City 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 are unsure whether your Kansas City, MO employer has workers' compensation insurance that covers you, speak to Missouri Injury Law, your Kansas City, MO workers' comp law firm, as soon as possible. Kansas City, 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. 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. You have two years from the time of the injury to file a workers comp claim in Missouri. You are also required to report the injury to your employer. Report your accident right away. 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 Kansas City, MO. 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 Kansas City, 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.
Some of the typical types of damages one can recover in a workers' comp case 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. You can receive reimbursement for medical care such as rehabilitation, surgeries, x-rays, and other hospital bills. This is why it's essential to keep all documentation of medical care you receive for workplace injuries.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: As a workers' comp victim, you may be able to recover reimbursement for vocational rehabilitation. 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 opportunity to find a new, sustainable career.
- Mileage Reimbursement: You may have to see specific doctors chosen by your workers' compensation insurance throughout the course of your treatment. Some, especially specialists, may be outside of the Kansas City 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: Workers' comp often provides employees with income to replace the wages you are unable to earn because of your condition. 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 Kansas City, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp benefits are designed 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 Kansas City, MO workers' comp lawyer, talk to the attorneys of Missouri Injury Law for a complimentary consultation. 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. 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 take care of tasks like obtaining and organizing documents such as medical records and documentation. They will also be able to record witness statements, take expert testimony, and build your case with other supporting evidence.
- Negotiate. An experienced workers' comp lawyer is familiar with workplace injuries such as yours. They can calculate 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 Kansas City workers' comp claim is initially 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 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 Kansas City, MO workers' comp lawyer will protect you from being taken advantage of by an insurance provider who tries to lowball you, 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. 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 Kansas City, 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 entitled to recover compensation for your suffering in Kansas City, MO equivalent to the value of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Kansas City, MO, are always ready to discuss your rights to workers compensation benefits in Kansas City, MO, and offer support during the Kansas City, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717