Kirkwood, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
An employee can have a Kirkwood, MO workers comp claim for any they experience as a result of their job. An employee in Kirkwood 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 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
Each state has its own laws and requirements when it comes to workers' comp cases. In Missouri, all employers in the construction sector are required to carry Missouri workers' compensation insurance, even with only one employee. Other employers in Kirkwood, MO must carry workers' compensation insurance if they have five or more employees. This does not apply to certain specific situations, like 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, contact Missouri Injury Law, your Kirkwood, MO workers' comp law firm, as soon as possible. Kirkwood, MO workers' comp insurance covers certain individuals in certain situations. Primarily, 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. 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. 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 Kirkwood, MO. 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 Kirkwood, 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: 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 will pay for 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 Kirkwood 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: 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 Kirkwood, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp benefits are 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 Kirkwood, MO workers' comp lawyer, you can speak to us at 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, 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 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 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 be able to secure a much higher settlement than you could likely get on your own.
- File additional claims. First of all, if your Kirkwood workers' comp claim is initially 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 with a third party claim against other parties who were also responsible for your suffering.
- Protect your rights. Your Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO equivalent to the value of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Kirkwood, MO, are always ready to discuss your rights to workers compensation benefits in Kirkwood, MO, and offer support during the Kirkwood, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717