Have you been injured in a workplace accident in St. Louis that has meant you have had to take time off work to recover? You should be able to claim workers’ compensation as long as your employer has the right type of insurance. Most employers in Missouri are required by law to carry insurance for workplace accidents and illnesses. If your employer is uninsured, you may still be able to obtain compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Discuss your accident with a workers’ compensation attorney before submitting a claim. Choosing a Workers’ Comp. Attorney in St. Louis You should always choose a fully licensed St. Louis workers’ comp. attorney if you are seeking legal advice on workers’ compensation. There are at least 339 licensed workers’ compensation attorneys in St. Louis and when choosing one go for someone who often works on workers’ compensation cases. If you find you are not eligible for workers’ comp. your lawyer may find other ways to get compensation for you which is typically by filing a personal injury claim on your behalf. Workplace Injuries in St. Louis, Missouri Even the safest workplaces encounter accidents from time to time but there are typically some workplaces that are less safety conscious than others. In St. Louis, the worst workplaces for accidents and injuries are in the transportation sector (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016*). Many accidents take place when a worker is struck by another vehicle while driving during work time. A workers’ comp. attorney will be able to help you get the compensation you deserve and if you are not eligible for WC may work on your behalf to file a personal injury claim. The Workers’ Compensation Process in St. Louis, Missouri If your employer employs five or more employees it must insure for workers’ compensation with an insurance provider that is authorized to provide insurance in the state of Missouri by the Department of Insurance. As soon as the injury takes place you should report it immediately to your employer or supervisor. If you haven’t reported your injury within 30 days of the event you may not receive any workers; compensation payments. There is a time limit to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Missouri’s Division of Workers Compensation. This is commonly known as a statute of limitations and is 2 years from the injury date. A workers comp. claim can be filed at the Division of Workers' Compensation, P.O. Box 58, Jefferson City, MO 65102-005822nd Judicial Circuit Court. If you decide you need to file a personal injury claim, this is submitted to the City courthouse, St. Louis, St. Louis City Hall at 10 N Tucker Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63101. It opens from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Attorney Whatever route you are following for compensation, whether it’s your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or a personal injury claim, the right St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney can be found by completing our free claim evaluation form below. It is a good idea to begin the claim process as soon as you can. You must comply with the statute of limitations for whichever claim you are pursuing and the sooner the process begins the better the outcome is likely to be for you. Helpful Resources Denied Workers' Compensation in Missouri? Finding a Workers' Compensation Attorney in Missouri *Source: labor.mo.gov/sites/labor/files/2016-SOII-News-Release.pdf
