Were you injured at work in Richmond Heights, Missouri? You may be entitled to compensation. If your injury happened while performing your job duties, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.
At Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we help injured workers navigate the claims process and protect their rights. With over 21 years of combined legal experience and millions recovered for clients since opening nearly two decades ago, we know how to hold employers and insurance companies accountable.
Contact our Richmond Heights workers’ compensation lawyers today for a free case review at (314) 463-4173.
How Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Workplace Accident in Richmond Heights, MO
When you hire a Richmond Heights personal injury lawyer from our firm, we will:
- Help you file your initial claim correctly and on time
- Gather and present medical evidence to support your injury claim
- Ensure your employer doesn’t misclassify your job status
- Challenge any claim denials or unfair benefit offers
- Represent you at hearings, appeals, or in court if necessary
Filing a workers’ compensation claim isn’t always as simple as it should be. Insurance companies don’t always play fair, and employers may try to shift blame or downplay your injuries. That’s where we come in.
We’re based in Missouri and familiar with the challenges local workers face. Whether you slipped on a construction site or developed an illness from toxic exposure, we’ll fight to get you the benefits you’ve earned.
Call now to schedule your free consultation with a Richmond Heights workers’ compensation lawyer.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation laws in Missouri are designed to protect employees who are hurt on the job. But not everyone qualifies, and insurance companies often look for ways to deny claims.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your employer must carry insurance.
In Missouri, businesses with five or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Construction companies must have coverage even if they have only one employee.
You must be classified as an employee.
Independent contractors are not covered by workers’ comp. If you’ve been injured and your employer says you’re a contractor, don’t take their word for it—misclassification is a common tactic. We can help review your work history and determine your correct status.
Your injury must be work-related.
This means it happened while doing something your job required. That might include lifting heavy equipment, using machinery, or even driving to a job site. It doesn’t have to happen at your employer’s office or job location.
However, injuries that occur while commuting or on personal breaks typically don’t qualify. If there’s any uncertainty, it’s worth having an attorney review the facts of your case.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for My Workplace Injuries?
Yes. Missouri uses a “no-fault” workers’ compensation system. This means you can still get benefits even if your own mistake contributed to the workplace accident.
You don’t have to prove your employer did anything wrong. And in most cases, you won’t be penalized for your own role in the accident, as long as it wasn’t caused by willful misconduct, drug use, or horseplay.
However, any civil liability lawsuits you may pursue are subject to different rules. In Missouri, comparative fault rules could limit or bar you from receiving compensation for your injuries.
Can I Sue My Employer if I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Generally, no. In exchange for receiving workers’ compensation benefits, employees give up the right to sue their employer directly. This is part of Missouri’s no-fault structure. However, you may still have the right to sue third parties who contributed to your injury.
For example, you might have a claim against:
- A subcontractor or coworker who caused the injury
- A negligent driver, if you were in a crash while working
- A product manufacturer, if faulty equipment caused the accident
- A property owner, if unsafe conditions at another location led to your injury
We’ll review your case to see if other parties might also be responsible for your damages.
What Benefits Can I Recover Through a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Missouri workers’ compensation offers several types of benefits. These are generally limited to economic damages, meaning you won’t receive compensation for pain and suffering through the workers’ compensation system.
Here’s what may be available:
- Medical treatment, including hospital stays, prescriptions, and therapy
- Temporary Total Disability if you can’t work at all while recovering
- Temporary Partial Disability if you can work part-time or light duty
- Permanent Partial Disability for long-term injuries that don’t fully heal
- Permanent Total Disability if you’re unable to return to work
- Vocational rehabilitation, in some cases
If your injury is catastrophic, such as a spinal injury or traumatic brain injury, you may qualify for higher levels of compensation. We’ll make sure you’re getting the full benefits you’re entitled to under the law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Richmond Heights, Missouri?
Missouri law requires injured workers to report their injury to their employer within 30 days. However, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
If your employer didn’t report the injury, or if you didn’t immediately realize the injury was work-related, the clock may start later. In some cases, you might have up to three years if no report was filed.
Even so, it’s important not to wait. The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence, get treatment approved, and avoid mistakes that could cost you your benefits.
Contact Our Richmond Heights Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Injured at work in Richmond Heights? Let us help. At Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll stand by you, protect your rights, and fight for the benefits you need to recover.
Call our Richmond Heights workers’ compensation attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.