When you’re injured on the job, the consequences can be far-reaching. Not only do you have to contend with the physical and emotional toll of the injury, but you also face the daunting task of navigating the complex world of worker’s compensation. This is where having the right legal representation can make all the difference.
In this video, we dive into the details of a recent $700,000 personal injury case, exploring how the team at Cantor Injury Law fought tirelessly to secure fair compensation for their client. Through this case study, we’ll uncover the challenges, strategies, and insights that can help you or a loved one in a similar situation.
The $700,000 Personal Injury Case: A Triumph of Justice
The case in question involved a worker who had suffered a serious injury while on the job. The details, as shared by Stephanie Mark, a partner and founder at Cantor Injury Law, are as follows:
“Last week, Cantor Injury Law and my associate David Poe and I, as co-counsel, tried a case in Crawford County, which is in Steelville, Missouri. We received one of the largest verdicts that I’m aware of in Crawford County – a $700,000 verdict in a no-offer case. This was a huge victory.”
The case involved a worker who had fractured his tibia (the larger of the two lower leg bones) in a work-related accident. The driver of a cube van had failed to yield at an intersection, causing a collision that resulted in the worker’s injury.
What made this case particularly noteworthy was the fact that the worker was originally from Kazakhstan and had moved to New York before the incident occurred. Despite the geographical challenges, the team at Cantor Injury Law was able to successfully try the case in Crawford County, Missouri, where the accident took place.
The Importance of a Local Legal Team
One of the key factors that contributed to the success of this case was the fact that Cantor Injury Law is a local law firm with deep roots in the community. As Mark explained:
“We’re local. We can do that. And we won $700,000. It’s a huge victory. The government tried to deny the claim, but the jury saw the truth. It’s so important to have a local lawyer that will actually go to court and try your case.”
Having a local legal team that is familiar with the nuances of the local court system and the community can be a significant advantage in worker’s compensation cases. This is especially true when dealing with complex cases that involve out-of-state claimants, as was the case here.
Our deep understanding of the local legal landscape and our willingness to go to trial played a crucial role in securing the $700,000 verdict for our client. This underscores the importance of choosing a law firm that is not only experienced in worker’s compensation cases but also has a strong presence in the community where the incident occurred.
The Worker’s Compensation Landscape: Challenges and Strategies
Worker’s compensation cases can be notoriously complex, with numerous hurdles and obstacles that claimants must navigate. Mark, with his 30 years of experience in this field, has some valuable insight into the challenges and strategies involved in these types of cases.
The Worker’s Compensation “Conspiracy”
According to Mark, the worker’s compensation system is often stacked against the injured worker, with large employers and insurers teaming up with “smart doctors” to defeat legitimate claims. He refers to this as the “worker’s compensation conspiracy”:
“It’s what I call the ‘worker’s compensation conspiracy’ where the large employers and large insurers team up with smart doctors to defeat your claim. And it’s really unfortunate because these are legitimate, hardworking people that need every penny they earned.”
This “conspiracy” can manifest in various ways, such as denying claims, minimizing the severity of injuries, or pressuring workers to accept inadequate settlements. Navigating this system requires a skilled legal team that is willing to fight for the rights of the injured worker.
The Importance of Authorized Medical Treatment
One of the key benefits that injured workers are entitled to under Missouri’s worker’s compensation laws is the coverage of 100% of their authorized medical bills. However, as Mark points out, the system can be manipulated to limit the worker’s access to proper medical care:
“The employer, in Missouri, is responsible for 100% of your medical bills so long as they’re authorized. They have to pay you two-thirds of your wages. But it’s the worker’s compensation conspiracy where the large employers and large insurers team up with smart doctors to defeat your claim.”
This underscores the importance of having a legal team that can ensure the worker receives the authorized medical treatment they need, without interference from the employer or their insurance providers.
Navigating the Complexities of Permanent Partial Disability
Another key aspect of worker’s compensation benefits is the lump-sum payment for “permanent partial disability.” This is meant to compensate the worker for any lasting impairment or loss of function resulting from the injury. However, as Mark explains, this area is also fraught with challenges:
“There’s no pain and suffering in worker’s compensation. I can’t get you the result that I just got this deserving driver in Cuba, Missouri, because the legislature has removed pain and suffering. It’s what I call the ‘worker’s compensation conspiracy’ where the large employers and large insurers team up with smart doctors to defeat your claim.”
The exclusion of pain and suffering from worker’s compensation benefits can be a significant limitation, as it fails to fully account for the physical and emotional toll of the injury. This is where having an experienced legal team, like the one at Cantor Injury Law, can make a crucial difference in ensuring the worker receives the maximum compensation they are entitled to.
Strategies for Success in Worker’s Compensation Cases
Based on the insights shared by Mark, there are several key strategies that can help injured workers navigate the complexities of the worker’s compensation system and achieve successful outcomes:
Importance of a Local Legal Team
- Choosing a law firm that is deeply rooted in the local community where the incident occurred can provide a significant advantage.
- Local lawyers have a better understanding of the nuances of the local court system and can leverage their connections and reputation to benefit the client’s case.
- This is especially crucial when dealing with complex cases involving out-of-state claimants, as demonstrated in the $700,000 personal injury case.
Willingness to Go to Trial
- Many worker’s compensation cases are settled out of court, but having a legal team that is willing and able to take the case to trial can be a game-changer.
- As seen in the $700,000 case, the jury was able to see the truth and deliver a favorable verdict, despite the government’s attempts to deny the claim.
- A law firm that is not afraid to go to court and fight for their client’s rights can be a powerful asset in worker’s compensation cases.
Expertise and Experience
- Choosing a law firm with a proven track record of success in worker’s compensation cases, like Cantor Injury Law, can provide invaluable expertise and experience.
- Stephanie Mark’s 30 years of experience in this field has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the system and the strategies needed to navigate it effectively.
- This expertise can be crucial in identifying and addressing the various challenges and obstacles that may arise in a worker’s compensation case.
Empowering Injured Workers
This $700,000 personal injury case serves as a powerful example of the difference that skilled legal representation can make in the lives of injured workers. By choosing a law firm like Cantor Injury Law, which is deeply rooted in the local community, willing to go to trial, and backed by decades of experience, injured workers can increase their chances of securing the fair compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Cantor Injury Law at 314-628-9999. Our commitment to fighting for the rights of injured workers and their proven track record of success makes us an ideal choice for navigating the complex world of worker’s compensation.
