Eligibility Criteria for Workers’ Compensation in Columbia
No matter where you work and what you do in Columbia, you are at risk for getting injured on the job. From rotator cuffs to carpal tunnel, you could get injured or contract an occupational illness at any time. It’s also typically understood that any injury you incur at work is covered through workers’ compensation. For the vast majority of people in Columbia, this is completely true.
Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Every state has different laws covering what happens to injured workers, but in Missouri, injured workers are covered by a worker’s compensation insurance policy. Any employer who has five or more employees is required to purchase work comp insurance in Columbia. The requirements are even more strict for businesses in the construction industry: they have to carry work comp insurance if they have one or more employees. If you work for a company that meets these criteria and you’re injured on the job, you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits and should speak with a work comp attorney as soon as possible.
Exceptions to Workers’ Compensation Law
There are a few groups of people within the state that are not required to be covered by workers’ compensation. In Columbia, your employer might not carry work comp insurance if you are:
- A volunteer for a non-profit or a youth program
- A railroad worker
- A domestic worker for a private residence
- An employee of a postal service
- A farmhand
- A sailor or maritime worker
- A real estate agent or direct seller
- The owner of a sole proprietorship or one of a partnership
Some of these professions are covered by federal laws regulating their industry instead of Missouri’s workers’ compensation program. Others are jobs with extenuating circumstances that do not require the employer to get work comp insurance. Where you work can impact your eligibility criteria for workers’ compensation claims in Columbia, so check with your supervisor or manager if you are covered.
What Can Work Comp Cover?
The purpose of workers’ compensation is to make sure that an injured employee has the resources they need to make a full recovery and get back to their normal life. Because of this, there is a wide range of things that work comp can cover, including:
- Injuries due to workplace accidents
- Occupational illnesses caused by hazardous environments or materials
- Repetitive stress injuries that arise from repeated motions at work
- Missed wages if the employee needed to take time to recover
- Funeral expenses in the event of an employee’s death
- Disability benefits if the injury or illness has left the employee permanently disabled
Call a Work Comp Lawyer As Soon As Possible
If you’re unsure if about your eligibility criteria for workers’ compensation in Columbia, you don’t need to worry. Before you start the process of filing your claim, it might do you a lot of good to sit down and speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer about your accident. They can help you better understand the criteria necessary to properly file a workers’ comp claim and can help you determine if you’re eligible. That’s not all, a work comp attorney will help you through every step of the work comp process, from collecting evidence to speaking with the insurance agency and much more.
An Attorney Can Help You Determine Eligibility for Benefits
When you’re injured on the job, your top priority should be your personal health. You should take the time you need to recover, and you shouldn’t have to lose hair or sleep over having your claim settled. If you’re looking for someone who can handle your work comp claim with diligence and care, then give us a call at the Law Office of Chris Miller. We’ve helped people get their benefits paid, so they can move on with their life, and we can help you too.