If you suffered any injuries while you were working at your place of employment in the state of Missouri, you have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. There are several different steps you need to take if you experienced an illness or injury resulting from your employment. Learn more about Missouri law as it relates to Workers’ Compensation benefits and how to ensure you protect all of your legal rights to receive compensation for your injuries and lost wages.
Missouri Law
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in the state of Missouri has a quick guideline on the steps you need to take to ensure that you follow protocol when coinciding filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- Report Your Injury. You should first report your injury to your immediate supervisor or your employer. If you fail to report your injury within 30 days following the accident, you may lose your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
- Seek Medical Attention. Seek immediate medical attention to receive an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for your injury or illness.
- Determine Your Benefit. You have the ability to receive temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability benefits depending on the facts and circumstances of your injury in the workplace.
- Resolve Your Claim. If you do not feel your employer or insurance company appropriately compensate you for your injury, consider visiting with a workers’ compensation attorney.
- Appeal the Decision. You have a legal right to appeal a decision regarding your workers’ compensation claim. Specifically, you have a right to an appeal with the Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission.
Common Work-Related Injuries Resulting in Workers’ Compensation Claims
Every workplace has its own risks and dangers associated with employment. In offices, workers may suffer from serious carpal tunnel syndrome needing surgery or medical devices. In warehouses, workers may suffer from herniated discs or broken bones. Every work injury will have its own set of facts and circumstances, however, there are some common work-related injuries that often result in workers’ compensation claims. The list below indicates some of these common injuries seen in workers’ compensation claims.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Fractured and/or broken bones
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Joint injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Stress fractures
- Tendonitis
- Vision disturbances or vision loss
- Overall chronic pain
- Injuries resulting from toxic mold, or exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, chemicals or hazardous materials
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Benefits Attorney in Missouri
Every state has a different set of rules and regulations that apply to workers’ compensation claims. In order to ensure your right to compensation for your work-related injuries, you must file all of your paperwork correctly, and in a timely fashion, or you will lose your right to do so.
If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Walton Telken today to help you understand your next steps. Contact us online or at (844) 515-2997 today.
