The Workers’ Comp Lawyer Who Works for You
If you were injured in the course and scope of your employment and are unable to work as a result of a workplace injury, you deserve compensation. The State of Missouri mandates that injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation that covers injuries that occur during the course and scope of employment, many times regardless of fault. Clayton A. Jones is the workers’ compensation lawyer who will make sure you get the proper recovery amount you deserve. Despite the fact that injured workers are entitled to these damages being awarded, many employers and their insurance companies will do what they can to ensure their costs are as low as possible. That’s why workers’ comp attorneys fight to get workers what they deserve.
What Is Workers' Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee’s right to sue their employer for the tort of negligence.
Workers’ comp benefits can help you pay for medical bills brought on by your injuries. You can also receive wage replacement benefits to provide financially for yourself and your family while you are recovering from your injuries and unable to work. For some who are severely injured, disability payments could be available. Families of workers killed on the job could be entitled to death benefits.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?
Essentially, injured employees are given wage replacement payments that equal a percentage of their wages while off of work so they may get treatment. To qualify for workers’ comp you must be an employee of an employer who carries workers’ comp insurance and the injury or illness must be related to work. If you are injured on the job, you must make sure to meet the state deadline for reporting the injury and filing a claim for workers’ comp.
Getting your claim approved requires several complex steps, which is why many people get help from a workers’ compensation attorney. You don’t want to miss out on compensation you could rightfully be entitled to or have your claim denied due to a technicality. A lawyer can help you negotiate on your behalf, navigate the paperwork, meet deadline requirements, and assist you with proving your work-related injury.
Workers Compensation in Missouri
In Missouri, the law provides for workers compensation benefits if you are injured at work. The benefits can include medical expenses, wage replacement, and death benefits. If you are injured at work, you should seek medical attention immediately and notify your employer and attorney as soon as possible.
Your employer is required by law to provide you with a workers compensation claim form. Hiring a lawyer will assist you with all the forms and paperwork that need to be completed. It is your employer’s responsibility to file the claim with the workers compensation insurance carrier. Hiring a lawyer will ensure you are compensated fairly. Employers and insurance companies want to pay the least amount possible. Hiring a lawyer helps increase your chances of compensation. If your benefits are denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the appeals process and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve.
Clayton A Jones has been helping injured workers in Missouri for years. We have a proven track record of success in obtaining workers compensation benefits for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation.
When to Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
The safest time to hire a workers’ comp lawyer is immediately after the workplace accident that injures you. An experienced attorney like Clayton A. Jones will be invaluable in helping you navigate the complicated process of getting the benefits that you are guaranteed by state law. Over the years, he has become familiar with the agency that oversees workers’ compensation cases in Missouri—the Division of Workers’ Compensation in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
What Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do?
As your workers’ comp lawyer, Clayton Jones will represent you as the claimant to make sure you get the benefits you are owed. He works hard at gathering medical evidence and medical records; taking depositions of the claimant, physicians, medical experts, and other relevant parties; conducting discovery and performing legal research; and of course, litigating the case. He will guide you through the process and make sure all of your questions get answered and ensure you get the medical care you need.
Types of Work Accidents That Qualify for Benefits
Were you injured due to a construction accident, a slip and fall, or a vehicle collision? If you were hurt at work or on the clock, you are probably entitled to workers comp benefits. The type of accident doesn’t matter so much, but it must be proved that your accident either occurred at work, was the result of work duties, or happened on the clock.
Can you be awarded workers’ compensation for a car accident? If you drive as part of your work duties then yes! You could also be entitled to work comp benefits if you suffered a work-related illness, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, lung cancer, illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous chemicals, hearing problems, vision issues, or other occupational illnesses.
Are there types of accidents that don’t permit you to collect workers’ compensation benefits? You are not eligible for workers compensation payments if your injury:
- Was caused by illegal behavior
- Occurred during a lunch break or when you were not on the clock
- Happened at work but you are not considered an employee under the law (i.e. if you are a freelancer)
What Kind of Workers’ Compensation Can You Receive?
Workers’ compensation in Missouri provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Workers’ compensation pays for medical expenses and can also provide income replacement and death benefits.
There are four main types of benefits that workers’ compensation can provide: medical benefits, income replacement benefits, death benefits, and retraining benefits. Medical benefits help to cover the cost of treatment for an injury or illness, while income replacement benefits can help to offset lost wages. Death benefits provide financial assistance to the families of workers who die as a result of a work-related injury or illness, and retraining benefits can help workers who are unable to return to their previous job to learn new skills.
Workers’ compensation is an important safety net for workers in Missouri, and it is important for workers to be familiar with the types of benefits that they may be entitled to.
Hire Clayton A. Jones as Your Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today!
A workers compensation law firm can help you get the money owed to you for an on-the-job injury. We can help you collect evidence, obtain medical documentation, file claim paperwork, and more. If you’ve been injured on the job, now is the time to call Clayton A. Jones so he can get started working for you.