Columbia, MO Workers' Compensation Attorney
Fighting for Work Injury & Illness Victims Across Boone County
If you've been injured on the job, filing a workers' compensation claim as soon as possible is imperative. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to attend to legal matters while you’re recovering from an injury and even more challenging to obtain the benefits you deserve when complications or disputes arise.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., our award-winning legal team is devoted exclusively to fighting on behalf of injured clients and families in Missouri. Handling matters involving both workers’ compensation and personal injury law, we’ve recovered over $400 million in compensation for our clients and have become known as a trusted team of honest and ethical advocates.
If you suffered a work-related injury or illness or lost a loved one in a fatal work accident, we have the experience to help you navigate the journey ahead.
Our Columbia workers’ compensation lawyers proudly serve clients across Boone County, Mid-Missouri, and beyond. Call (888) 287-1046 or contact us online to request a free review of your case.
Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law – What Is It?
Missouri’s workers’ compensation law (Chapter 287 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri) outlines the rights and obligations of employees and employers when employees suffer work-related injuries or occupational diseases. Generally, it ensures that workers employed by covered employers can obtain medical care, wage supplementation, and other benefits after being hurt on the job.
As an injured worker, you may be covered by Missouri’s workers’ compensation law if your injury or illness arose in the course and scope of your employment and:
- You were injured in the state of Missouri;
- You were hired in Missouri; or
- Your work was principally done in Missouri.
While Missouri law makes workers’ compensation available to countless workers across the state, the process of obtaining these benefits can be challenging. That’s because there are various requirements that must be met, numerous forms and paperwork to file, and many steps where problems can arise.
At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we provide step-by-step guidance to help workers and families navigate the workers’ compensation claim process and position themselves for the full benefits they deserve. We also routinely handle claims involving insurance disputes, claim denials, appeals, and third-party claims. Whatever your case entails, we have the experience to protect your rights at every stage.
Requirements For Workers’ Compensation in Missouri
If you’ve been injured or sickened on the job in Missouri, you’re likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, you’ll want to ensure that you meet a few essential requirements. These generally include:
- Covered Employer. Most for-profit and nonprofit companies with more than five employees are required by Missouri law to carry workers’ compensation insurance, as are some companies with fewer employees, including contractors with just one worker. You’ll need to ensure your employer is a “covered employer” to file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Work-Related Injury. For your injury or illness to be covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, it must have occurred in the course of your employment. This means that it happened while you were at work or while you were performing work-related duties.
- Report to Employer. You must report your injury to your employer (or supervisor) as soon as possible. Under Missouri law, workers are required to give written notice of the time, place, and manner of the injury within 30 days. For overuse injuries, this means within 30 days of when you became aware of the problem.
- Approved Providers. If you require medical treatment for your injury, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will cover all reasonable and necessary expenses, so long as you obtain care from an approved provider. While you have the right to choose a doctor or specialist of your own to treat your work injury, doing so will come at your own expense.
- Disability Certification. If you need lost wage benefits while you are out of work, your authorized treating doctor (and/or an independent medical examiner hired by the workers’ compensation insurance company) must first certify that you are unable to work due to your injury, or that you can only perform light duty, when available. This certification will also determine whether you can collect Temporary or Permanent Disability benefits.
Injuries Workers’ Compensation Insurance Covers
For any injury or illness to be covered by workers’ compensation, it must arise in the course of employment, which means it happens while the employee is doing something on behalf of the employer or during work hours.
In Missouri, workers’ compensation insurance can provide vital financial protections and support following many different types of work-related injuries and illnesses. Some common examples include:
Traumatic Injuries
These are unexpected physical injuries that occur suddenly at work. Examples include:
- Falls: From heights or on the same level, such as slipping on a wet floor.
- Impact Injuries: Resulting from being struck by equipment or machinery.
- Cuts and Lacerations: From incidents involving sharp objects like tools or machinery.
- Burns: Caused by fire, chemicals, or electrical contact.
Traumatic injuries are typically the most straightforward in terms of proving they are work-related, provided they happen at the workplace or while performing job-related tasks.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
RSIs are caused by overusing a particular part of the body, often due to repetitive tasks or poor ergonomics. Common RSIs include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: From constant keyboard use or assembly line work.
- Tendonitis: Due to repeated motion, leading to inflamed tendons.
- Bursitis: Inflamed bursae resulting from repetitive movement or pressure.
RSIs are compensable when an employee can prove the injury is directly linked to the duties of their employment over time.
Call Today For a FREE Consultation: (888) 287-1046
Workers’ compensation cases are time-sensitive matters, which is why we encourage anyone with a case or question to reach our to our team as soon as possible. During a FREE and confidential consultation, we’ll be able to evaluate the facts of your case and discuss what we can do to help. We handle cases across Boone County, Mid-Missouri, and beyond.
Call (888) 287-1046 to speak with a Columbia workers’ comp attorney from Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C.
Occupational Illnesses
These are illnesses or conditions that develop due to exposure to harmful factors in the workplace. Some examples are:
- Respiratory Diseases: Such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from inhaling toxic substances.
- Skin Disorders: Caused by contact with irritants or allergens.
- Hearing Loss: From long-term exposure to loud noise.
Occupational illnesses must be shown to be directly caused by work conditions or exposures.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Claims
Workers’ compensation claims are not the same as personal injury lawsuits. While both concern injuries and compensation, they have distinct differences. For example:
- Sole Legal Remedy. Workers’ compensation is typically the “sole legal remedy” for workers who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job. This means that once a worker opts for it, they usually cannot pursue a separate personal injury claim against their employer.
- No-Fault System. Unlike personal injury claims, where victims must prove their claims in accordance with a certain legal standard, workers' compensation is a no-fault system. This means employees do not need to prove their employer was at fault to receive benefits. In fact, workers can still collect workers’ compensation benefits even if they caused their own injuries.
Our Testimonials
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“My husband was in a car accident, we called Aaron Sachs, and are very glad we did! First of all, they sent someone to our home to interview my husband, so he did not have to drive all the way to Springfield to their office while he was in pain.”Former Client
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“I was rear-ended by a non-insured driver. My car was totaled and I ended up having surgery on my shoulder. I was thrilled to get a settlement way larger than I could have dreamed.”Former Client
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