What To Do After a Work Accident in Columbia

If you have suffered a work injury, you might feel overwhelmed and scared about your financial future. Serious injuries can result in ongoing or even permanent disabilities that impact your ability to earn a livelihood or support your family. If you are considering what to do after a work accident in Columbia, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced attorney.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Incident

In the aftermath of a work accident, injured workers need to seek medical treatment immediately. If employees delay getting the medical treatment they need, they may worsen their condition and face even more severe losses. Waiting to get medical treatment can significantly harm the individual’s workers’ compensation claim. When a work accident results in acute or permanent injuries, the hurt individual should also get in touch with an attorney in Columbia at the first opportunity. A legal representative could help get that person’s workers’ compensation claim filed on time and fight hard to see that the insurance company pays out the full and fair benefits owed to the injured worker.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

After a work accident in Columbia, an injured employee should file a prompt claim. Missouri law requires that injured worker tell their employer about the incident within 30 days. In some cases, it may be necessary to file a claim for workers’ compensation with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation. The statute of limitations to file an official employee benefits claim is two years from when the person sustains an injury.

For instance, if the injured individual is unable to settle a claim with the employer’s insurer, that worker may have to take the case to trial. The trial to settle a workers’ compensation claim is also known as an evidentiary hearing. A lawyer could help claimants build a compelling application for benefits and present their case to the judge at an evidentiary hearing.

Claiming Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation can cover temporary total disability, permanent total disability, temporary partial disability, or permanent partial disability. These benefits compensate injured individuals for a portion of their earnings lost due to their injury. However, at most, these earnings will only comprise two-thirds of the individuals’ median wages every week.

The type of permanent disability payments a worker may qualify for will depend on the rating their doctor assigns to their injuries. Workers’ compensation can also pay for the healthcare costs stemming from the individual’s injury. If a worker sustains permanent damage to a part of their body from their incident on-the-job, they may receive additional compensation on top of their lost wage and medical benefits. After a workplace incident in Columbia, an injured employee should consider reaching out to an attorney who can explain the specific types of benefits they may qualify to claim.

Call an Attorney in Columbia to Discuss What to do After a Work Accident

An attorney understands that knowing what to do after a work accident in Columbia can be a considerable challenge. A worker’s compensation lawyer could help, so you do not face the insurance carrier or court on your own. Whether you need help filing the initial claim or appealing your worker’s compensation case before a judge, an attorney could work hard to get you the benefits you deserve. Contact a legal team member today to receive a confidential evaluation of your case evaluation.