In the state of Missouri, if an employer employs five or more people, he must provide workers' compensation insurance. For construction companies that build, repair, or demolish structures, workers' compensation is required if they employ one or more people. A worker includes full-time and part-time employees or anyone who is hired under a contract. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, those workers who are exempt from this insurance coverage include "farm laborers, domestic servants, certain real estate agents and direct sellers and commercial motor-carrier owner-operators."
If you need legal assistance in presenting an effective claim for workers' compensation or if your claim has been denied, we advise you to speak with an attorney at Smith Law. Because each of our attorneys is a St. Joseph personal injury attorney, we understand how to investigate, prepare, and fully document an injury or occupational disease. Our legal team has the knowledge, skills, and determination to help you obtain the best results possible for legal compensation following an injury or health problem caused by or in your work environment.
Workers' compensation benefits provide a measure of financial help when an employee has been injured while performing his or her work duties, developed a disease directly related to toxic or other exposure in the work environment, or to family survivors when an employee has died while on the job. Injuries and diseases must be reported to the employer within 30 days or the claim may be jeopardized. A valid workers' compensation claim will entitle you to the medical care needed to treat your condition as well as temporary total disability benefits, permanent partial, or permanent total disability benefits. Wage benefits are generally based on a percentage of your wages, subject to weekly minimum or maximum limits.
Fault is not an issue in workers' compensation cases. If you are having difficulty with your claim, however, you may need the assistance of one of our attorneys who can work on your behalf to remedy the situation.
Contact a St. Joseph workers' compensation lawyer at the firm for highly-qualified legal assistance with a claim for benefits today.