How Long Do I Have to Be Employed to Get Workers Comp in Missouri?

If you start your new job this morning and get injured two hours into your first shift, you are generally eligible for workers’ compensation under Missouri law.

The worker’s comp program does not specify you have to be employed for a specific amount of days in order to be protected by it. As far as the law’s concerned, you are eligible for compensation from the first moment you start the job.

What You Need to Know

Starting a new job can give people some anxiety. Because you’re new, you want to do a good job and impress your boss and show them you are a great addition to the team. Getting injured right in the beginning may work against that plan.

However, to get compensated, you need to officially notify your employer of your injury. The more you wait, and the more severe your injury gets, you risk losing eligibility because the insurance company may argue that some of your medical treatment results from your own actions, and refuse to pay for it.

Additionally, you only have 30 days from the date of the accident to report your injury. If you miss the deadline, the insurance company has the right to deny your claim, which they will most likely do.

It’s important to not let your shame or fear prevent you from getting the medical treatment you need. Even if you just started a new job, tell your employer of your injury as soon as it happens.

Know Your Rights

As an employee, you don’t just have responsibilities – you also have rights. While you need to be on time, get the job done, and behave in a specific way, your employer also has the obligation to:

• Create a safe work environment
• Offer you adequate training, especially if you need to use special tools or have a more demanding job
• Supervise you not just to see you’re doing the job, but making sure you are doing it safely

You have the right to ask your employer for training, protective equipment, or even specialized supervision. These help to make sure you are properly prepared to do the job safely, and avoid injury.

If you do get injured, you generally have to right to compensation. Nobody in the company can prevent you from doing it. If your boss or supervisors try to persuade you not to report your injury you should speak with an attorney immediately.

Have You Been Injured on the Job?

As long as you are an employee of a business that is required to offer workers comp benefits, you have the right to compensation. It doesn’t matter if you were working for the company for ten years or just ten minutes.