St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workplace accidents can occur in any industry and to any employee. Work injuries and occupational illnesses can put you temporarily or even permanently out of work. These accidents can happen in construction and industrial sites, office buildings, retail outlets, restaurants, and more. You may be unable to perform the duties of your job while facing growing medical bills and lost income. Without workers’ compensation, this situation could lead to severe financial distress.

At Labovitz Law Firm, we understand how lives can be dramatically changed by injuries and physical impairment. Our firm is dedicated to standing up for the injured in any setting, whether it is at work or elsewhere. Attorney Brent Labovitz is well-versed in the Missouri workers’ compensation system and can help you file a valid claim or appeal one that has been denied. At our firm, our top priority is your physical and financial well-being which we will relentlessly pursue through the available resources under Missouri law. 

Workers’ Compensation in Missouri

The workers’ compensation program is governed by the Missouri Department of Labor and has been established to provide financial compensation to workers injured while on the job. The system is not based on fault, as in standard personal injury cases. You are entitled to compensation regardless of who caused your injuries. 

The workers’ compensation system pays for: 

• Medical expenses: This includes all the medical costs of your recovery, from emergency room care and surgeries to aftercare through doctor visits and rehabilitative treatments. 
• Weekly income: When unable to work, you will receive a two-thirds portion of your standard pay.
• Permanent disability: If you have become permanently disabled and thus unable to work, you may be eligible for two-thirds of your normal paycheck. 
• Lump sum settlement payments: If you have been disabled, you may receive a lump sum payment based on the severity of your disability and medical assessments.
• Death benefits: These apply to the family of a worker who has died in a workplace accident. They generally include burial expenses and continuing paychecks.

Benefits can also include your transportation expenses to and from medical appointments. They continue until you have achieved “maximum medical improvement,” or MMI. This means that any further treatment will not result in physical improvement. At this point, you will be given a disability rating by your doctor. Depending on your level of disability, you may or may not be able to return to your job. This can result in being restricted to certain aspects of your current position, being given a different employment position, or provided with permanent disability benefits. 

To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you must report your injury or occupational illness to your employer within 30 days. After that, you have two years from the date of your accident or onset of your disease to file your claim. 

During the filing of your claim, you may run into various problems, such as your employer fighting your claim or denials by the insurance company. At Labovitz Law Firm, we recommend that you seek the assistance of our St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney to ensure that your claim is submitted properly and that you have the protection of our representation in resolving any issues. 

It is also important to note that, in some cases, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against product manufacturers, co-workers, or other third parties who contributed to or caused your injuries. In these cases, you may be entitled to both workers’ compensation and compensation from your third-party claim. 

Contact Labovitz Law Firm online or by phone at (314) 200-0738.