How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Missouri?

A workplace injury can leave you dealing with medical treatment, time away from work, lost income, and uncertainty about how you will support yourself while recovering. Missouri’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide certain benefits to employees who suffer qualifying job-related injuries or occupational illnesses. However, obtaining the benefits you need is not always as straightforward as it may seem.

Understanding how workers’ compensation works in Missouri can help you protect your rights after an injury. If you have been hurt on the job in Kansas City, Simon and Katz Law Firm can help you navigate the claims process, address issues with the insurance company, and pursue the benefits that may be available to you.

What Is Workers’ Compensation in Missouri?

Workers’ compensation is a system that provides benefits to eligible employees who suffer injuries or illnesses related to their employment. Instead of relying on a traditional personal injury lawsuit against an employer, an injured employee may be able to receive benefits through the workers’ compensation system.

Depending on the circumstances, workers’ compensation benefits may help cover necessary medical treatment, a portion of lost wages, and compensation for temporary or permanent disabilities resulting from the workplace injury.

Every case is different, however, and disputes can arise over whether an injury is work-related, what medical care is necessary, the extent of a worker’s disability, or how much compensation should be paid. Attorney Paul Katz and Simon and Katz Law Firm can review your circumstances and help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to pursue.

What Should You Do After a Workplace Injury?

One of the most important steps after getting hurt at work is reporting the injury to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible.

Under Missouri law, failure to report a workplace injury to your employer within 30 days may jeopardize your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Written notice should include important information about the accident and injury, including when and where it happened and the nature of the injury.

You should also keep records related to your accident, medical care, communication with your employer, and time missed from work. Documentation may become important if questions or disputes arise during the claims process.

If you are uncertain about what you should do after a workplace accident, Simon and Katz Law Firm can help you understand your responsibilities and take steps to protect your claim.

Does Missouri Workers’ Compensation Pay Medical Bills?

Workers’ compensation may provide medical treatment necessary to cure and relieve the effects of a qualifying work-related injury. Authorized medical treatment, prescriptions, and medical devices can be covered without a deductible to the injured employee.

One important detail injured workers should understand is that Missouri generally gives the employer or its insurance company the right to select the authorized healthcare provider. If an employee chooses a different doctor without authorization, the employee may be responsible for those medical expenses.

Disagreements over medical treatment can become a significant issue in workers’ compensation cases. Simon and Katz Law Firm can help injured workers understand their rights when questions arise about treatment, insurance coverage, or the handling of their claims.

Can Workers’ Compensation Replace Lost Wages?

If a workplace injury prevents you from working, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits.

Temporary total disability benefits may be available when a doctor determines that an injured employee cannot return to work because of the injury or while recovering from surgery. These benefits are generally calculated at 66 2/3% of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to limits established under Missouri law.

If you are able to return to light or modified duty but earn less than you did before the injury, temporary partial disability benefits may also be available.

Lost income can create significant financial stress for injured employees and their families. Simon and Katz Law Firm can review your wage information and workers’ compensation claim to help determine whether you are receiving the benefits available under Missouri law.

What If Your Workplace Injury Causes a Permanent Disability?

Some employees recover completely and return to their previous jobs, while others experience lasting physical limitations.

Missouri workers’ compensation provides benefits for certain permanent disabilities. Permanent partial disability may apply when an employee has a lasting disability but is still capable of working in some capacity. Depending on the circumstances, permanent partial disability compensation may be paid as a lump sum.

Permanent total disability may apply when an employee is permanently unable to compete in the open labor market because of the work injury. These cases can involve substantial long-term consequences, making an accurate assessment of the employee’s condition particularly important.

Attorney Paul Katz can examine the medical and employment issues surrounding your injury and advocate for the compensation available in your particular situation.

Can You Receive a Workers’ Compensation Settlement?

Many workers’ compensation cases ultimately involve a settlement. The appropriate value of a settlement can depend on factors such as the nature of the injury, medical treatment, the extent of any permanent disability, wages before the injury, and other circumstances.

Receiving workers’ compensation payments does not necessarily mean that there will be no opportunity for a settlement. However, accepting a settlement can affect your rights and future benefits, so it is important to understand exactly what is being offered before agreeing to anything.

Insurance companies have an interest in limiting what they pay on claims. Simon and Katz Law Firm can evaluate a proposed settlement, examine the circumstances of your injury, and advocate for a resolution that appropriately accounts for your losses.

What Happens If the Insurance Company Disputes Your Claim?

Not every workers’ compensation claim proceeds without difficulty. An employer or insurance company may dispute whether the injury occurred at work, challenge the extent of the employee’s disability, question whether certain treatment is necessary, or disagree about the amount of benefits owed.

A dispute does not necessarily mean that you are out of options.

Having an attorney review the claim can help identify the source of the disagreement and determine what steps may be available. Simon and Katz Law Firm works with injured employees in Kansas City to address workers’ compensation disputes and hold insurance companies accountable for the benefits they are legally required to provide.

Do You Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Missouri?

You are not required to wait until your claim has been denied before speaking with an attorney. Legal guidance can be valuable when you suffer a serious injury, cannot return to work, are facing disagreements about medical treatment, are offered a settlement, or believe the insurance company is not properly handling your claim.

Workers’ compensation cases can involve medical records, wage calculations, disability evaluations, insurance issues, and procedural requirements. Mistakes during the process may affect the benefits you ultimately receive.

Paul Katz brings decades of legal experience to Simon and Katz Law Firm and works directly with injured workers to evaluate their circumstances, explain their options, and pursue appropriate compensation.

Speak With a Kansas City Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you have been injured while working in Kansas City, Missouri, you may have important rights under the state’s workers’ compensation laws. Taking action promptly can help protect your ability to obtain medical care, wage benefits, disability compensation, or a potential settlement.

Simon and Katz Law Firm can evaluate your workers’ compensation case, help you understand the claims process, communicate with the insurance company, and advocate for the benefits you may be entitled to receive. You can focus on your recovery while Attorney Paul Katz focuses on protecting your legal interests.

Call Simon and Katz Law Firm at 816-405-1823 today to schedule a consultation with a Kansas City workers’ compensation attorney.