Workers Compensation in Mississippi
An injury at work can turn your world upside down in an instant. One moment, you’re focused on your job; the next, you’re in pain, unable to work, and facing mounting medical bills. How will you support yourself and your family during this time?
Mississippi’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide financial and medical assistance to employees. These benefits can cover your medical expenses, help replace lost wages, and even provide vocational rehabilitation if you’re unable to return to your previous job.
However, getting the benefits you’re entitled to isn’t always easy. Employers and insurance companies may delay payments, dispute your claim, or offer less than what you deserve. Knowing how the process works and taking the right steps can make all the difference in securing the compensation you need.
This guide walks you through Mississippi’s workers’ compensation system, the steps to take after an injury, and how hiring an attorney can help you maximize your benefits.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Mississippi?
Workplace injuries happen more often than many realize, and Mississippi is no exception. In 2023, private-sector employers in the state reported approximately 28,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.7 cases per 100 full-time employees—slightly below the national average.
Some industries in Mississippi have higher injury rates than others:
- Manufacturing: An industry prone to repetitive strain injuries, heavy equipment accidents, and falls, with an incidence rate of 3.5 per 100 workers.
- Construction: Common workplace hazards include falls from heights, electrocutions, and injuries from heavy machinery.
- Healthcare and Social Assistance: With an injury rate of 4.1 per 100 workers, this sector sees frequent lifting injuries and exposure to infectious diseases.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Mississippi?
Mississippi’s workers’ compensation system ensures that employees injured on the job receive the medical treatment and financial assistance they need to recover. To qualify, your injury or illness must have occurred during the course of your job duties.
Mississippi requires employers to have workers’ compensation insurance if they have five or more employees on their payroll. Some categories of workers are exempt from this, including but not limited to the following: farm laborers, federal workers, and independent contractors.
Beneficiaries receive compensation for medical expenses. In addition to weekly cash disability benefits, and out-of-pocket expenses for activities related to the injury. The Workers’ Compensation Commission provides up to ⅔ of the last year’s average weekly salary to individuals for up to 450 weeks.
Get Medical Attention
After a workplace injury, seeking prompt medical attention is one of the most important steps you can take. Immediate treatment not only protects your health but also establishes official documentation of your injury, which is crucial for your workers’ compensation claim.
In Mississippi, your employer’s insurance carrier has the right to choose your initial doctor. However, after the first visit, you may be allowed to see a different provider with approval from the insurance company or the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC).
Even if you believe your injury is minor, don’t wait to seek treatment. Some conditions, such as repetitive motion injuries or internal damage, can worsen over time and complicate your claim.
Keep detailed records of every medical visit, treatment, and prescription. These records will serve as key evidence if your claim is disputed or if you need to appeal a denial.
File a First Report of Injury
Once you’ve received medical care, notifying your employer is your next step. Mississippi law requires workers to report injuries within 30 days, but reporting as soon as possible can prevent delays in receiving benefits.
Your employer must then file a First Report of Injury with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. This report must include:
- The date and time of the injury.
- A description of how the incident occurred.
- Details of the medical treatment received.
The insurance carrier will review your claim and determine whether you qualify for benefits. You may be required to undergo an Independent Medical Examination (IME) if there are disputes about your injury severity.
Mississippi gives employees injured on the job two years to apply for workers’ compensation. Any attempts to obtain benefits after that time may result in a denial.
Mississippi has a five-day waiting period before beneficiaries can receive payments, but those days are paid out if your injury lasts longer than fourteen days. If the injuries are severe enough to justify permanent disability benefits, an employee may receive weekly payments for the rest of their life or a lump-sum settlement.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While Mississippi’s workers’ compensation system is designed to support injured employees, the process is rarely simple. Insurance companies may dispute your claim, delay payments, or offer settlements that don’t fully cover your needs.
Don’t question how workers comp works and risk losing your claim. Hire a Mississippi workers’ comp lawyer and ensure you have an advocate to fight for your rights.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Mississippi
Your health and well-being need to come first. If you are hurt while working or find out an illness you are suffering is the result of your job, you will want to seek compensation.
We can connect you with a local attorney or one across Mississippi state lines.
Submit a request online or call us at (866) 345-6784 to find a workers’ compensation lawyer today!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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