The State of Missouri protects all injured workers. Missouri requires that any employer with five or more employees must carry insurance for workers’ compensation. In addition, construction employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have at least one employee.
By law, if an employer fails to carry workers’ comp insurance is guilty of a misdemeanor. An employer can face fines up to $50,000 and will be reported for fraud to the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Missouri employers with five or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance or qualify as a self-insured. Construction industry employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage if they have one or more employees.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Benefits may include dollar-for-dollar medical coverage, two-thirds of your weekly gross salary if a doctor concludes that you are unable to work while recovering from your injury, and – most importantly – a lump sum money award for permanent injuries.
When to Seek Legal Help
These workers’ compensation benefits, although state ordered, are funded by private insurance companies. Because of this, the system can be confrontational and adversarial, and you often need an attorney to ensure that you are receiving your proper benefits from the insurance company. Additionally, major changes in the workers’ compensation law were passed in 2005. These changes make it harder to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations advises:
“An injured worker may also elect to bring an action for personal injury in circuit court against an employer that fails to insure its workers’ compensation liability. Making a claim against the Second Injury Fund and filing a suit in circuit court are complex legal matters. Before taking such action, it is advisable that you consult a lawyer.”
The Meehan Law Firm
If you have a workers’ compensation case, you may need a skilled and experienced attorney to manage your case properly. The attorneys of the Meehan Law Firm can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Contact us to discuss your case today.
Sources:
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/your-right-to-workers-comp-benefits-faq-29093.html
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/your-right-to-workers-comp-benefits-faq-29093-8.html
http://labor.mo.gov/DWC/Injured_Workers/employer_no_insurance.asp
http://meehanlawfirm.com/workers-compensation-benefits.html