What to Expect After Filing a Missouri Workers Compensation Claim

Although each workers’ compensation claim in Missouri is unique, you can generally expect a few things if you qualify.

If you have been injured at work or suffered from an illness caused by your job, you might be entitled to file workers’ compensation. Once you start the process, it may be weeks or months before you get access to the money you need. However, here’s what you may be entitled to.

Lost Wages

Compensation for lost wages is one of the most important benefits an injured worker receives. Many workers receive small amounts of money for time missed from work and for time spent in medical procedures that take them away from their work. An employee is generally entitled to the lost wages for a specific period of time even if the employee was negligent in some way and contributed to their own injury on the job.

Future Medical Care

Another important consideration is payment for future medical care. Sometimes workers receive limited time compensation for future medical bills. If a person has a long-term illness that affects his or her health in the future, this can be very difficult. Even if a worker gets some workers’ compensation coverage, it may not pay all of the bills that accumulate over time. For these reasons, experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can be beneficial in ensuring that you receive enough to cover your future medical care expenses related to your injury.

Disability Payments

One final benefit that workers’ compensation law provides workers is a disability payment. If an employee has an injury that affects his or her ability to work, he or she may be eligible for a payment based on a percentage of past wages. If the employee is disabled, they can usually make this claim through their workers’ compensation lawyer. If you are injured and think that your job could cause an injury later in life, you should talk to an experienced Kansas City workers’ compensation lawyer about this issue to learn how the disability process works.

Your injury lawyer will work with your employer’s insurance company and your doctor to establish a maximum settlement amount based on the specifics of your case. If your employer offers a lump sum or a permanent disability payment, your lawyer can negotiate these amounts with your doctor and adjust the settlement terms to your benefit. Your disability payment or lump sum may not be enough to cover these costs, especially if you have no health insurance.

An experienced attorney can help you determine how much your lost wages will be. Along with lost wages, workers’ compensation can also cover lost benefits and pain and suffering. If you cannot work for a period of time because of your injury, medical expenses will generally be covered by workers’ compensation.

Our Missouri workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that injured workers receive the benefits they deserve. Contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to schedule a free consultation. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and what compensation you may be entitled to.