How to Receive Columbia Workers’ Compensation Benefits
An injury in the workplace can be a traumatic experience. You may be worried about your job, your income, and your future. Missouri workers’ compensation laws are in place to help workers and their families recover from on-the-job injuries, but the process of filing a claim and receiving benefits can be complicated.
For workers in Columbia, Missouri, workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Workers’ compensation pays for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages while the employee is unable to work. A skilled lawyer could help you follow specific steps to receive payments for an injury that occurred on the job. The following is a guide how to receive Columbia workers’ compensation benefits.
Report the Accident to Your Employer and Seek Medical Treatment
It is important to notify your employer and begin seeking medical attention immediately. The best practice is to notify your employer in writing, but your injuries might prevent you from doing so. Missouri law tells us that your employer has the right to control your treatment providers, so notifying your employer and asking for treatment is important if you want your employer to pay for your medical bills.
When possible, notification to your employer should be done in writing. Be sure to include all the details of the accident, as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses. Your employer is required by law to provide you with a workers’ compensation claim form, and they have a limited time to do so.
In the event your employer fails to provide you with a claim form, you can download one from the Missouri Department of Labor website. Once you have completed the form, you should return it to your employer as soon as possible. Missouri law requires employers to report workplace accidents to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier within five days of receiving notice of the accident.
After a workplace injury, it is important to get treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. This will not only help you recover physically, but it will also create a record of your injuries and treatment. Documentation of your injuries and treatment will be important if you decide to file for workers’ compensation benefits in Columbia.
Keep a Record of Your Injuries and Treatment
It is important to keep a record of your injuries and treatment. This can be helpful in documenting the extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. Always keep bills, receipts, and all documentation of any missed work or lost wages.
Cooperate With Vocational Rehabilitation
If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. These payments can help you retrain for a new job or return to work in a modified position. To receive benefits for your workplace injuries, a vocational rehabilitation program could help.
Hire a Competent Workers’ Compensation Attorney
The workers’ compensation system can be complex and confusing. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be familiar with the process and will be able to guide you through the claim-filing process. An attorney in Columbia can also help you obtain the maximum benefits to which you are entitled.
Understanding the Different Types of Columbia Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available
There are four different types of workers’ compensation benefits available in Columbia, Missouri:
Medical benefits
Medical benefits are available to cover the cost of medical treatment for your workplace injury. Some examples of this include the cost of doctor’s visits, hospitalization and/or surgery, any prescriptions, rehabilitation, and other medical expenses.
Temporary total disability
If a worker misses more than three days of work due to an on-the-job injury, they may be eligible for temporary total disability benefits. These benefits provide weekly income replacement for a portion of the wages lost while the worker is unable to return to work (approximately two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage), up to a maximum amount set by law.
Permanent partial disability
A permanent partial disability is defined as an injury that prevents a worker from performing some, but not all, of the duties of their job (or can perform some jobs but not others). A worker who has a permanent partial disability may be eligible for weekly income benefits (also based on a percentage of the worker’s average weekly wage) and/or a lump sum payment.
Permanent total disability
These benefits are paid to workers who have permanent disabilities that prevent them from working at all due to their on-the-job injury. Workers who are permanently and totally disabled may receive weekly income benefits (approximately two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage) for the rest of their life, up to the maximum amount set by law.
A seasoned lawyer in Columbia could explain what employee benefits are available to a person after a workplace injury.
Contact Us Today to Speak with a Lawyer About Columbia Workers’ Compensation Benefits
An injury at work can be a devastating event. If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help workers in Columbia, Missouri get the benefits they need and deserve. To learn more how to receive Columbia workers’ compensation benefits and how our lawyers can help, contact us today for a free consultation.