Suffering an injury on the job is a painful and distressing experience, especially when it interferes with your ability to work and take care of routine daily tasks. Workers’ compensation is a crucial safety net, paying for medical care for your work-related injuries and a significant portion of your lost wages.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to receive a denial of your benefits due to a reporting or filing error. A St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney helps ensure the smoothest possible pathway for your financial recovery, so you can better focus on your physical one.
Reporting Your Workplace Injury In Missouri
It can be difficult to take purposeful action after a serious injury, when your focus is on your pain and trauma, but taking the right steps immediately after the injury and in the days and weeks that follow is crucial. First, apply reasonable first aid and call to arrange transportation to a hospital or urgent care center, either by ambulance for severe injury or by private transportation for mild injuries. Then, do the following:
- Report the injury to your immediate supervisor and ask them to fill out an accident or incident report
- Go directly to a hospital or urgent care center and ask for a detailed medical report (this not only ensures that you receive appropriate care, but also proves that your injury happened at work and not elsewhere)
- Report the injury in writing to your employer as soon as possible, or at least within 30 days of the accident, including the date, time, and place the injury occurred
Failing to report the injury to your employer within 30 days will result in a claim denial.
After you’ve submitted a written report of the injury to your employer, be sure to keep evidence of the report, such as copies of the email or written report, or record the date and time that your employer received the report.
Once reported, your employer should give you a list of approved providers for you to receive treatment that will be covered by your workers’ compensation claim in Missouri.
Filing Your Missouri Workers’ Compensation Claim
There are both online and paper options for filing a workers’ comp claim in Missouri without a lawyer; however, an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation attorney is an essential ally to ensure that you don’t receive a claim denial due to a simple filing oversight or lack of compelling evidence.
Most workers’ compensation claims are resolved through a settlement, but some may require a hearing. An experienced attorney has access to medical experts and other resources to support your claim.
Workers’ compensation insurance is provided by an insurance company, and insurers are not on your side. Instead, their goal is to protect their profits at your expense, even if it means using an error or oversight against you. An attorney protects your best interests throughout every step of the process.
How Can a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help?
Not only does an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer meticulously file your claim and represent your interests while investigating, negotiating for a settlement, and in a hearing, but an attorney also explores additional avenues for further compensation. For example, if your injury occurred due to a non-employer, such as because of a contractor’s negligence or a defective product or equipment, you can recover additional compensation under Missouri 537.765 through a personal injury lawsuit that’s not available against an employer.
Contact Miller & Hine Attorneys at Law to speak to a Missouri workers’ compensation lawyer who is ready to help.