As an injured worker in the state of Missouri, you may find yourself navigating a complex and often unfair system when it comes to your workers’ compensation claim. The reality is that the workers’ compensation system in Missouri is designed to primarily benefit insurance companies, rather than the injured workers it is meant to serve. This “workers’ compensation conspiracy,” as described by personal injury attorney Mark Cantor, is a troubling reality that every Missouri worker must be aware of.
The core of this conspiracy lies in the concept of subrogation, which allows workers’ compensation insurance carriers to recoup a portion of the benefits they have paid out if the injured worker is able to secure a settlement or judgment from a third-party lawsuit. This means that even if you, as the injured worker, are able to win a significant award in a civil lawsuit, the workers’ compensation carrier can swoop in and take a substantial portion of those funds, leaving you with far less than you deserve.
The Ruediger Formula: Understanding the Order of Operations
The key to navigating this workers’ compensation conspiracy lies in understanding the Ruediger formula, which is codified in Missouri Revised Statute 287.150. This formula outlines the specific order in which your workers’ compensation claim and any third-party lawsuit must be handled, and it is crucial that you have an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation attorney who is well-versed in this process.
The order of operations is as follows:
- First, you must resolve your workers’ compensation claim.
- Only then can you pursue your civil lawsuit against any third-party responsible for your injuries.
If you or your attorney attempt to settle the civil lawsuit first, you will not be able to recover any workers’ compensation benefits, as the insurance carrier will be entitled to the entirety of the civil settlement. This is a common mistake made by out-of-state attorneys who are unfamiliar with the nuances of Missouri’s workers’ compensation laws.
Strategies for Reducing Subrogation Liens
One of the key ways that our team at Cantor Injury Law works to maximize our clients’ payouts is by aggressively negotiating and reducing the subrogation liens imposed by workers’ compensation carriers. This is a critical step in the process, as these liens can significantly erode the value of any civil settlement or judgment.
Our attorneys have developed a deep understanding of the various strategies and legal arguments that can be used to challenge and reduce these subrogation liens. Some of the key tactics we employ include:
- Challenging the Validity of the Lien: We carefully review the workers’ compensation carrier’s documentation and calculations to ensure that the lien amount is accurate and justified. If we identify any discrepancies or errors, we will aggressively challenge the lien to reduce the amount owed.
- Negotiating a Reduced Lien Amount: Even if the lien is valid, our attorneys are skilled negotiators who can often convince the workers’ compensation carrier to accept a lower lien amount, allowing our clients to keep more of their civil settlement or judgment.
- Arguing for Equitable Apportionment: In some cases, we may be able to argue that the lien should be equitably apportioned between the workers’ compensation carrier and the injured worker, based on factors such as the relative contributions to the overall recovery.
- Leveraging Statutory Protections: Missouri’s workers’ compensation laws provide certain statutory protections for injured workers, and our attorneys are well-versed in using these laws to our clients’ advantage in lien reduction negotiations.
By employing these and other strategies, our team at Cantor Injury Law has been able to consistently reduce the subrogation liens imposed on our clients, allowing them to keep a larger portion of their overall recovery.
mAXIMIZE Your Recovery
Ultimately, the goal of any personal injury or workers’ compensation claim is to ensure that the injured worker is fully compensated for their losses and can move forward with their life. However, the workers’ compensation conspiracy in Missouri, with its complex system of subrogation and lien calculations, can make it challenging for injured workers to achieve this goal.
That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation attorney on your side, one who understands the intricacies of the system and is committed to fighting for your rights. At Cantor Injury Law, we have a proven track record of success in maximizing our clients’ recoveries, and we are passionate about ensuring that injured workers in Missouri receive the full and fair compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job in Missouri, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Cantor Injury Law. We offer free consultations and are committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective legal representation. Call us today at 314-628-9999 to learn more about how we can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and maximize your recovery.
