5 Things Your Employer Won’t Tell You About Workers’ Comp

The state of Missouri requires all businesses of five employers or more to purchase workers’ compensation, a type of insurance specifically designed to cover an employee’s medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that they will incur if they are injured while on the job. (Note: If you are in the construction industry, you are required to carry workers’ compensation if you have one employee or more.)

As with most types of individuals, some employers are more righteous than others. Even though they are required to provide this benefit to their employees, certain employers may be hesitant to provide too much information about workers’ compensation to their employees for fear of incurring larger and/or more frequent claims. Fortunately, your workers’ compensation attorneys in Camdenton and Lebanon, MO, are happy to fill in the gaps in the information they provide. Here are a few quick facts about workman’s comp that your employer may neglect to tell you.

1. You Should Report Every Injury (Even Minor Ones)
In some cases, a certain injury may not be enough to warrant seeking financial compensation. Even if you do not plan to file a workers’ compensation claim, however, you should report the accident to the company owner or human resources director. While the consequences of the accident may seem minor now, they could grow into larger issues down the road. If this happens, having record of the injury when it occurred will serve as valuable documentation.

2. You Must Tell Your Healthcare Provider That You Were Injured At Work
Like all businesses, insurance companies are out to make a profit. Unfortunately, many of them will do everything they can to find excuses to deny a claim. In order to stand a chance at getting compensation for your injury, your healthcare provider must check the box that says the injury occurred at work before they submit your claim. Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure this important step is not overlooked.

3. You May Be Eligible To Receive Compensation Even If The Accident Was Not Your Fault
In certain states, employees must be personally responsible for their injuries in order to receive any form of compensation. Missouri, however, is a no-fault workers’ compensation state. If you are injured at work, you may be eligible for compensation even if the injury was not your fault. If you are unsure whether or not your case will be eligible for compensation, contact one of our workman’s compensation attorneys.

4. You Must File Your Claim Within The Statute Of Limitations
As with most forms of cases, workers compensation claims must be filed before the statute of limitations expires in order to have any hope of receiving benefits. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims is two years. If your case is filed more than two years after the the day the injury occurred, it is likely to be automatically considered invalid.

5. Hiring An Attorney Can Improve Your Chances
If you have been injured at work and are considering filing a workers’ compensation claim, don’t be afraid to seek representation from an experienced workers’ comp attorney. In a perfect world, both your employer and the insurance company would be happy to ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries; unfortunately, it often does not work out that way. Hiring an attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks can improve your chances of securing the settlement you deserve.

Contact Deputy & Mizell, LLC