Workers Compensation in St. Louis, MO

You aren’t alone if you ask “How does workers comp work?” Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides wage and medical benefits to people who have become ill or injured while at work. The extent of workers’ comp coverage an employer is required to carry is governed by Missouri state law. Thus, in trying to figure out how workers comp works, it helps to understand the laws on the books in the state where the business operates. If the injury or illness a worker sustains is eligible for compensation, the insurance carrier should help ease the financial burden the illness or injury created on the worker. Learn some of the basic principles of St. Louis, MO workers’ compensation insurance and how the process works.

Workers Compensation Statistics in St. Louis, Missouri?

In December 2020, over 1.4 million people worked full-time in St. Louis, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. Over 260,000 of those individuals worked in the often thankless fields of education and health services. While most states have much lower rates, 13.2 out of 100 workers in Missouri reported an illness or injury. St. Louis contributes significantly, so we can calculate that around 34,000 teachers or nurses suffered due to their work in 2019.

How Does Workers Comp Work in St. Louis, Missouri?

Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim. 

Employers in St. Louis are required to carry workers’ compensation if they have five or more employees. For construction companies, they must buy a policy if they have one or more people on staff. Few exceptions exist under the law, but farm laborers, domestic servants, and direct sellers can purchase self-coverage if desired. The state typically calculates compensation at 66% of your salary for the last year, and pays that in weekly installments. Other than the payment for lost wages, medical coverage and mileage reimbursements are also available.

For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.

The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in St. Louis, MO are critical for purposes of filing a claim for compensation. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.

Get Medical Attention

After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay seeking help from a St. Louis, MO healthcare professional. This could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing time-sensitive deadlines in the workers’ compensation process. Having a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occured is the first step in the process. Your employer cannot file a claim with their insurance carrier without this information.

When dealing with a job-related illness, the symptoms and diagnosis may not happen right away. You may find yourself attending regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally associates your illness with your job. Your doctor may make the determination that the illness is either the result of your work conditions or aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.

File a First Report of Injury

The first report of an on the job injury or illness will provide the workers’ compensation insurance carrier with the details of the events leading up to the injury. In this report, you will provide your physical injuries, the medical treatment you received and the facilities that provided it. It’s always a good idea to bring a copy of the doctor’s report to submit with the report of injury.

Inform your supervisor about what happened, and your employer will file a First Report of Injury with the Workers’ Compensation Division. The state requires that this report reach them within thirty days of an organization learning about an injury or illness. However, they only have five days to contact their insurance carrier or a third-party administrator after that point.

Timeline and Other Information

You will have to wait three days before workers’ compensation benefits start in St. Louis. Temporary disability lasts for up to 100 weeks with a cap of $1,011.92. Insurance carriers have 30 days to respond to your claim, but you can expect to hear from them earlier. Permanent benefits for total or partial disability may result in a lump sum settlement based on the nature of your illness or injury.

Your employer should furnish you with information about the claims process. The adjuster or insurance carrier representative may want to speak to you at some point about the incident and any possible witnesses to the event. In the meantime, the workers’ comp insurer may begin paying medical benefits while the investigation into your claim continues.

Why You Should Hire a St. Louis, Missouri Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in St. Louis, Missouri, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a St. Louis workers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In St. Louis, Missouri

If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in St. Louis, MO you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them. 

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

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