Have you suffered a work-related injury in Missouri? Any employer with five or more employees and all construction industry employers must provide protection for their employees under the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law.  If you have been injured or become ill on the job, your first step is to report the incident to your supervisor, because Missouri law requires it.

If you need to see a doctor, ask your employer, rather than visiting your own doctor. In Missouri, employers authorize specific doctors to treat work-related injuries. When you visit an employer-authorized doctor, full medical benefits are provided with no time or monetary limits. Visiting your own doctor may mean your employer (and its insurer) are not obligated to pay your medical bills.

Take note: Simply notifying your employer or its insurer of your injury does not mean a claim has been filed. A claim is “filed” by completing the proper forms required by the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation. You may need the help of a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.

Filing a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Claim

Generally speaking, if you wish to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits in Missouri, you must do so within two years of the date of the accident, the last payment of workers’ compensation benefits, or the last medical treatment provided; whichever is the last event to have occurred. If your employer failed to file an injury report with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation within the time allotted by law, the time limit for filing is three years.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Your employer will almost certainly be represented by an attorney who is experienced in finding every available avenue to minimize your recovery.  You are often at a disadvantage if you do not hire a lawyer.

Usually an attorney who is experienced in handling workers’ compensation claims will offer a free consultation to review your claim.  Among other things, the attorney can assess whether your claim should be handled by an attorney.

A qualified Missouri Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help you get the answers you need and represent your interests in your workers’ compensation case.