Washington County, MO Workers’ Comp
Work Related Injuries
An employee can have a Washington County, MO workers comp claim for any they experience as a result of their job. An employee in Washington County can get hurt at work many different ways. 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
There are different workers' comp laws for each state. In Missouri, all employers in the construction sector are required to carry Missouri workers' compensation insurance, even with only one employee. All other Washington County MO employers not in the construction sector must carry 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 have any questions about your employer's workers' compensation insurance and if you are covered, speak to Missouri Injury Law, your Washington County, MO workers' comp law firm, as soon as possible. To be covered by Washington County, 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. 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, 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.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. However, before you officially file a claim, you must also report your injury to your employer. Report your accident right away. You must report your injury within 30 days of the accident, or your Washington County, 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 get the entire value of your workers' compensation claim, talk to a workers comp lawyer in Washington County, 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. 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: Your workers' comp settlement could include coverage for vocation rehabilitation services. For example, if you're unable to continue your job because of your injuries, your employer may cover some type of ongoing education. This will allow you the opportunity to find a new, ongoing career that you can sustain.
- 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 Washington 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: 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. 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 Washington County, MO Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Help
Missouri workers' comp insurance is set up to be a streamlined process, but that doesn't always mean that it will be simple or easy. Each case is different, so it's important to consider the factors that are unique to your case. Prior to hiring a Washington County, MO workers' comp lawyer, talk to the attorneys of Missouri Injury Law for free. 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. 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 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. 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 know how to negotiate with insurance companies. 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 you file a Washington 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 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 Washington 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 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 Washington County, MO
If you have suffered 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 a workers' compensation settlement in Washington County, MO commiserate to the status of your injuries (partial or total, temporary or permanent). Our workers' compensation attorneys in Washington County, MO, are here to discuss your rights to workers compensation benefits in Washington County, MO, and offer support during the Washington County, MO workers compensation claims process. Contact our MO Workers Compensation Attorneys today for a free case review and consultation.
(636) 333-1717