In theory, almost anyone legally classified as an employee who gets hurt or sick on the job in Missouri should have access to workers’ compensation coverage through their employer, which should reimburse them for their medical bills and a significant portion of their lost wages. In practice, though, workers’ comp insurance companies will do everything possible to poke holes in your claim and pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement. Fighting past that opposition to get the benefits you need can be nearly impossible to pull off alone.
Fortunately, you do not have to go through this deceptively complicated process without representation from a reliable Brentwood workers’ compensation lawyer. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw knows all the tricks that insurance companies like to use to wriggle out of liability for on-the-job injuries, and we can put our expertise to work for you and ensure your claim has the best result possible.
To get a positive outcome from a workers’ comp claim, you’ll first need a basic idea of how the process works, since getting even one part wrong could give an insurance company the excuse they need to reject your claim.
First and foremost, anyone who gets hurt or sick due to conditions they were exposed to while working must immediately notify their employer about their injury or illness in writing. The employer has five days after receiving notice of a work injury or illness to report it to their workers’ comp insurance provider. If your employer doesn’t do this, or if you want to file a workers’ comp claim on your own, you generally have two years at most—or three years if your employer didn’t report the injury—to file a Claim for Compensation with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation.
While your claim is ongoing, it’s vital that you:
Remember, insurance companies are looking for any excuse to deny you compensation, and following all these steps will help your dedicated Brentwood workers’ comp attorney get you paid fairly.
Workers’ comp is designed to reimburse injured and sick workers for all the medical care they need to reach what’s called “maximum medical improvement,” which is either their pre-injury condition or—if they become permanently disabled—as close to that condition as reasonably possible.
If you spend a significant amount of time out of work, you should also be reimbursed for about two-thirds of your pre-injury average wage in the form of Temporary Total Benefits. There may be other benefits available to you if you are partially disabled for a short time or permanently disabled to a degree that impacts your ability to work in the future.
Importantly though, none of these benefits are guaranteed to everyone who files a workers’ comp claim, and there is a lot that insurance companies will do to minimize the compensation they have to pay you. This is why working closely with our team of trusted and capable lawyers at OnderLaw can be essential to achieving a successful workers’ compensation claim in Brentwood. We are on your side and by your side every step of the way.
Workers’ comp can keep your life on track and your finances stable after a work-related injury or illness. Unfortunately, getting the workers’ comp benefits you should be owed under state law can be extremely difficult—even with lots of evidence to support your claim.
Representation from a committed Brentwood workers’ compensation lawyer at OnderLaw can make a world of difference in how the claims process plays out for you and how successfully you can negotiate with the insurance companies. Contact our firm today to get the dedicated representation you deserve.
