Injured on the Job?
Work Place Injury, also known as Worker’s Compensation, happens when you get injured due to a dangerous workplace or accident on the job. When injured on the job, you don’t want to negotiate with your employer and insurance company alone, you need an advocate. Call Tad Morlan today! Workers’ compensation benefits can help cover:
- Medical benefits
- Wage replacement
- Disability
According to Missouri’s Department of Labor:
Report Your Injury immediately to your employer or supervisor.
Failure to report your injury to your employer within 30 days may jeopardize your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Notify your employer in writing; the written notice must state the
date,
time and place of the injury, the
nature of the injury and the
name and address of the person injured. You can use this
online form if your employer does not provide you with a form. Always make a copy of the written notice for yourself and keep a written record of the date you mailed your notice. If you hand-deliver your notice, keep a record of the date and time of the delivery along with the full name and title of the person you delivered it to. After reporting your injury, your employer should arrange for the necessary medical treatment and the filing of the reports with the Division. To verify that your injury has been reported, call the Division at 800-775-2667.
Here are some situations in which a lawyer may be needed:
- The insurance company is denying your case
- You are not getting the medical care you believe you need
- Tests or surgery ordered by the authorized treating physician are denied or canceled
- You are not getting weekly benefit checks while the doctor says you cannot work
- The insurance company won’t talk with you
- The insurance company is claiming a penalty for a safety violation or for use of drugs or alcohol
- You feel intimidated by the process, or you feel you are being treated unfairly
- You are confused about how to proceed
- You have been fired, demoted or harassed at work because of your work injury, or because you are asserting your workers’ compensation rights
- You have applied for, or are receiving social security disability benefits
- You have qualified for Medicare, or you may qualify for Medicare within the next five years
- Mo HealthNet or Medicaid has paid for your medical bills
- You believe you are permanently and totally disabled, that is, you believe that you cannot work at any job
- Your employer did not have workers’ compensation insurance coverage at the time of the injury
- Your medical bills are not being paid, even though you have only gone to medical care providers authorized by your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company
- If you feel uncomfortable proceeding with your case without consulting a lawyer first
A lawyer is almost always needed, when:
- The case cannot be resolved by settlement and must be resolved by an evidentiary hearing (trial)
- The workers’ compensation insurance company strongly advises you to get a lawyer
- An administrative law judge strongly advises you to get a lawyer
Once an employee has gone through the hearing process and an administrative law judge has issued an award, the employee has the right to file an application for review with the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission within 20 days of the date of the award. There is no appeal to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from any agreement, of settlement, or compromise of any dispute that has been approved by an administrative law judge.
When you need a Worker’s Compensation Attorney, KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Call (417)865-4400 today for a FREE no-obligation consultation.
