University City, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
A workers' comp claim in University City, MO can be filed for any work-related accident or condition that causes disability through illness or injury. An employee in University City 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
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 University City MO employers not in the construction sector 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 are unsure whether your University City, MO employer has workers' compensation insurance that covers you, contact Missouri Injury Law, your University City, MO workers' comp law firm, right away. University City, 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.Anyone who has been hurt or fallen ill because of their work conditions 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. You must report your injury within 30 days of the accident, or your University City, 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, it is essential to consult a workers comp lawyer in University City, MO right away. 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. If your injury leaves you unable to continue in the field you were in, your employer will pay for some type of ongoing education. This will allow you the chance 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 University City area. In Missouri, you can be reimbursed for any mileage and expenses you incur due to travel, up to 250 miles each way for a medical visit.
- Pain and Suffering: When you suffer a disabling injury or illness, you experience on-going pain and suffering. In addition, benefits can be awarded to family members for the impact of the victim's disability on their lives, and survivor benefits can be awarded to the family members of a deceased work-injury victim, in the form of final expenses and ongoing weekly wages.
- 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 University City, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp benefits are set up 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 University City, 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. 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 do the work for you when it comes to requesting documents like medical records, and keeping them organized. Your workers' comp lawyer will also have the experience needed 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 know how to negotiate with insurance companies. A lawyer with experience and authority in workers' comp cases 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 University City workers' comp claim is initially denied, you need a workers' comp lawyer on your side. When you've been harmed in the line of work, 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 University City, MO workers' comp lawyer will protect you against the tactics of insurance companies, an employer who tries to avoid giving you the benefits to which you are entitled, and can protect you if you experience retaliation at work for filing a claim.
- Represent you. If your workers' comp claim have to go 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 University 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 eligible to recover compensation for your suffering in University City, MO commiserate to the status of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in University City, MO, are here to discuss your rights to workers compensation benefits in University City, MO, and offer support during the University City, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717