6 Common Types of Workers Compensation Claims in Missouri

There are several types of workers’ compensation claims that may be appropriate for your case.

All work has its risk, and if by unfortunate circumstances, you get injured while doing your job or exposed to any danger at work, you may qualify for Missouri workers’ compensation. There are several types of workers’ compensation claims that may be appropriate for your case. Reaching out to an experienced work injury lawyer can help you understand your options better.

What the Law Says

In the state of Missouri, the rules and guidelines for employees and employers can be a complex topic. All workers are possible victims of work-related injuries, some more than the others due to the nature of the job. It is therefore obligatory for all employers, barring a few exceptions, to have workers’ compensation insurance.

An employee who gets injured in a work-related accident may be entitled to benefits. Accidents may include but are not limited to falling, tripping, slipping, sustaining burns, back injuries because of heavy lifting, and more. An injured employee may also be eligible for workers’ compensation if they suffer from an occupational illness due to exposure to hazardous chemicals or working conditions. 

Workers’ compensation in Missouri comes in many types, and the extent of your illness or injury will identify and dictate the type of compensation you can get.

Common types of Workers Compensation Claims in Missouri:

• Medical Care – this claim covers all rational and required medical care needed to treat the injury or illness. Travel expenses incurred to keep appointments and medical trips are also generally covered in medical care.
  
• Temporary Total Disability – this claim is generally applicable if the employee is unable to go to work temporarily, due to the extent of the injury. In such cases, an employee is entitled to get a portion of their pay for that definite period of time.
  
• Temporary Partial Disability Benefits – when an employee can only render part-time hours or cannot take over the full extent of their prior responsibilities, due to injuries sustained in the accident, he/she may be entitled to temporary partial disability benefit. This makes the employee eligible for two-thirds of the difference between their weekly wage pre- and post the injury or accident.
  
• Permanent Partial Disability – this claim is applicable if an employee will never recover completely or will be unable to get back into a full working capacity. This means that the employee can still function but only in a limited and select capacity.
  
• Permanent Total Disability – this claim can be made by employees who have been left permanently impaired and unemployable not just in their current place of work but in any other sector or job on account of injuries resulting from the accident.
  
• Death Benefits – this claim includes up to $5,000 burial costs as well as survivor’s benefits for the deceased employee’s spouse and dependents. Also, two-thirds of the deceased employee’s average weekly pay will go to the dependents every week for 12 months following the death.

Nobody likes to get injured or be involved in an accident. However, if you are injured at work, it is important that you report it to your supervisor. Follow the required procedures within the given timeline, and file a worker’s compensation claim.