Explained: Missouri work comp procedures

The Columbia, Missouri law firm Lear Werts LLP guides injured employees through the state’s workers’ compensation claim procedure, from initial reporting to the final hearing and decision. In every case, we work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the maximum amount of benefits to which they are entitled under the law, including disability benefits, medical benefits, and death benefits.

Filing a Claim for Compensation

The purpose of Missouri’s workers’ compensation program is to expedite the process of compensating injured workers; however, the procedure can still be slow and confusing if you do not know exactly what documentation and reporting is necessary to support your claim. Furthermore, if information is missing or inaccurate, it is more likely that your claim will be delayed, denied, or questioned. At Lear Werts LLP, our attorneys possess an in-depth knowledge of the claim process, and we will work with you to make sure that your claim is complete and accurate, so that you start receiving benefits as quickly as possible.

Ideally, a valid workers’ compensation claim succeeds without any problems or hassles, but unfortunately, many employees or their family members do not receive all of the benefits to which they are entitled under the law. In some cases, an employer’s insurance company may assert that the injury or disability is not work-related, stemming from a preexisting condition or another source. If your employer or its insurer fights your claim, it is imperative that you retain experienced legal representation. The insurance company will have their lawyers present for the claim procedure, meaning that you should have your own attorney present as well.

In most cases, the workers’ compensation claim procedure involves the following steps:

• Report of Injury
• Claim for Compensation
• Temporary Hearing
• Final Hearing
• Commission Decision

Please click on the links above to learn more about the claim for compensation procedure, and if you believe that you have not been properly compensated for a work-related injury, please contact Lear Werts LLP for a complimentary consultation.