Missouri’s workers’ compensation system is often seen as a safety net for workers who are injured on the job, but in reality, it’s more of a conspiracy. Insurance companies, large employers, and the government work together to minimize your benefits, making it harder for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
At Cantor Injury Law, we’ve been handling workers’ compensation cases in Missouri for over 30 years. In that time, we’ve seen firsthand how the system is stacked against the worker. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your rights are protected and that you can fight back against this unfair system.
What Benefits Are You Entitled To?
When you’re injured at work, Missouri’s workers’ compensation system owes you three main benefits:
- Medical Benefits: You’re entitled to 100% of your authorized medical expenses. However, the catch is that your employer gets to choose your doctor. This can lead to biased medical opinions, as these doctors are often paid by the insurance companies.
- Wage Replacement: You are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you’re off work. However, this payment doesn’t kick in until after you’ve missed two weeks of work, and it’s only two-thirds of your wage.
- Disability Benefits: If your injury is severe and you can no longer work, you’re entitled to permanent total disability payments, paid weekly. For less severe injuries, you may be entitled to a lump sum for permanent partial disability.
The problem? Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover pain and suffering. You might lose a limb or suffer long-term disability, but your compensation is only based on your disability, not your suffering. It’s a system designed to keep payouts low, and you’ll need to fight for every penny you’re entitled to.
Why Workers’ Compensation is a Conspiracy Against You
The workers’ compensation system in Missouri isn’t just flawed—it’s rigged. Here’s how the conspiracy works against you:
- Employer-Selected Doctors: The law allows your employer to choose the doctor you see for your injury. Since these doctors are paid by the insurance company, there’s a built-in conflict of interest. We’ve seen doctors misrepresent injuries, fail to accurately diagnose conditions, and even lie in court to protect the insurance companies.
- Low Disability Ratings: Workers’ compensation is based on a “meat chart” that assigns a specific number of weeks for each type of injury. For example, losing a finger could be worth just 30-45 weeks of pay at two-thirds of your wages. This is far less than the true impact of a life-altering injury. The system simply doesn’t account for pain and suffering, making the compensation inadequate.
- Penalties for Safety Violations: If you’re injured because of a safety violation, you might think the employer is at fault, but the law doesn’t see it that way. If you didn’t follow safety rules—like wearing a harness—your benefits can be reduced by up to 50%. But if the employer failed to provide you with proper safety equipment, the penalty for them is only 15%. This is another example of the system working in favor of employers and insurers.
- Drug Testing After an Injury: One of the first things your employer might do after you’re injured is drug test you. The problem is that many workers will test positive for pain medication or other substances used to treat injuries, even though they were prescribed by a doctor. If you test positive, your benefits can be significantly reduced, even if the drugs had nothing to do with the accident.
- Surveillance and Videos: Insurance companies often hire private investigators to follow injured workers around, hoping to catch them doing something that could disprove their injury claims. They’ll film you picking up a gallon of milk or doing something minor, and they’ll use that footage to claim you’re not as disabled as you say you are. This is just another way the system is set up to cheat workers out of their benefits.
How to Protect Your Rights and Win Your Case
The system is working against you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t win. Here’s what you need to do:
- Get a Lawyer Immediately: The moment you’re injured, it’s crucial to hire a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer. At Cantor Injury Law, we know how to fight back against the system and protect your rights. We’ll make sure that you file the necessary forms and that your claim is handled properly from day one.
- Don’t Trust the Doctor Chosen by Your Employer: Since your employer selects your doctor, it’s vital to seek an independent medical opinion. The doctors hired by insurance companies often downplay injuries to protect their bottom line. We’ll help you find a doctor who will give you an honest assessment of your condition.
- Fight for a Fair Disability Rating: The disability ratings assigned by employer-chosen doctors are often too low. We work with independent medical experts to ensure that you receive a fair disability rating that truly reflects your condition and its impact on your life.
- Never Sign Anything Without Legal Advice: Insurance companies and employers may try to get you to sign statements or settlement offers without understanding the full impact. Don’t make this mistake. Always consult with a lawyer before signing any documents to ensure you’re not being cheated.
- Pursue Both Civil and Workers’ Compensation Claims: In some cases, you might be able to pursue both a civil lawsuit and a workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you’re injured in a car accident while on the job, you can file both a workers’ comp claim and a civil claim against the at-fault driver. We can help you navigate both cases to ensure you get the maximum compensation.
Why Choose Cantor Injury Law?
At Cantor Injury Law, we’ve spent over three decades fighting for workers who have been wronged by the system. Our team is dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve, and we won’t let the insurance companies cheat you. We take a contingency fee, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case. We work on your behalf to fight the conspiracy, and we don’t rest until you’re properly compensated.
If you’ve been injured at work and need help navigating the Missouri workers’ compensation system, contact Cantor Injury Law today. We’re ready to fight for your rights.
Call us now at 314-628-9999 or visit Cantor Injury Law to schedule your consultation.
