If you’ve been injured on the job in Missouri, you might feel like the workers’ compensation system is stacked against you. Unfortunately, that’s true—Missouri’s workers’ compensation system is often rigged in favor of large employers and insurance companies. They work together to minimize your compensation and maximize their own profits, leaving you with less than you deserve.
At Cantor Injury Law, we’ve been successfully handling workers’ compensation cases for over 30 years. With thousands of cases won, we know how the system operates—and how to fight back.
What Benefits are You Entitled to?
When you’re injured at work, Missouri workers’ compensation should provide three main benefits:
- Medical Care: The employer must pay for 100% of your authorized medical care. However, they get to choose the doctor, which can lead to biased opinions against you. More on this below.
- Wage Replacement: You are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you’re off work. However, this benefit doesn’t kick in until you’ve missed two weeks of work, and it doesn’t cover the full amount you were earning.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: If you are permanently injured and can no longer work, you are entitled to permanent total disability payments, paid weekly. If you can still work but have some permanent impairment, you are entitled to a lump sum for permanent partial disability.
Unfortunately, the system doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering, which can make the process feel even more unfair.
The Workers’ Compensation Conspiracy
The Missouri workers’ compensation system has been criticized for being unfair to workers. Here’s why:
- Employer-Selected Doctors: In Missouri, the employer has the right to choose the doctor who will treat you. This creates a conflict of interest because the doctors are often hired by insurance companies. Their goal is to quickly release you from medical care and minimize the severity of your injury, even if you’re still in pain. We’ve seen cases where doctors have been caught fabricating medical conditions to benefit the insurer, such as claiming a client had diabetes when they didn’t.
- Low Disability Ratings: The “meat chart” is a disability chart used by the workers’ compensation system to assign a disability rating based on your injury. However, it doesn’t account for pain and suffering, and the disability ratings are often unreasonably low. For example, if you lose a thumb at the joint, the chart may assign just 60 weeks of pay for the injury, leaving you with less compensation than you deserve.
- Lack of Compensation for Pain and Suffering: Missouri workers’ compensation doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering. Even if you experience significant pain or permanent disability, you’ll receive only a lump sum for permanent partial disability or weekly payments for permanent total disability.
How to Win Your Workers’ Compensation Case
The first step is understanding the process and knowing your rights. Here’s how to navigate the Missouri workers’ compensation system effectively:
- File a Report of Injury: If you’re injured on the job, you have 30 days to notify your employer. This is different from the formal claim for compensation, which must be filed within 2 years (or 3 years if no report of injury is filed). Make sure to report your injury promptly to protect your rights.
- Don’t Trust the Doctor Chosen by Your Employer: The doctor selected by your employer is often biased toward minimizing your injury. They may downplay the severity of your condition to reduce the insurance company’s payout. At Cantor Injury Law, we can arrange for an independent doctor to evaluate your injury and provide a more accurate assessment.
- Hire an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: The workers’ compensation system is complex and often unfair. Having a skilled lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law can make all the difference. At Cantor Injury Law, we’ve been fighting for workers’ rights in Missouri for over 30 years. We know how to push back against biased doctors, insurance companies, and employers to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
- Know Your Disability Rating: Your permanent partial disability rating will play a crucial role in determining your compensation. Don’t settle for the low ratings assigned by doctors hired by the insurer. We work with independent medical experts to get an accurate rating that reflects the true extent of your disability.
The Importance of Acting Early
When you’re injured, it’s important to act quickly. If you wait too long to file your claim or consult with a lawyer, you could miss crucial deadlines. The workers’ compensation system has a timeline that can be difficult to navigate, and waiting can result in losing your right to compensation.
At Cantor Injury Law, we take on workers’ compensation cases with a clear focus on helping you secure the compensation you deserve. We understand the complexities of the system and will fight for your rights, from filing your claim to taking your case to trial if necessary.
Why Choose Cantor Injury Law?
At Cantor Injury Law, we never represent the employer or the insurance company. We are 100% dedicated to protecting your interests. We charge no fees unless we win your case, and our fee is only a percentage of the lump sum we recover for you. Our team has a proven track record of success in Missouri workers’ compensation cases, and we are committed to fighting for every penny you deserve.
If you’ve been injured on the job and need help with your workers’ compensation claim, contact Cantor Injury Law today. We have offices in St. Louis, Columbia, and throughout Missouri, and we’re here to help you win your case.
Call us now at 314-628-9999 or visit Cantor Injury Law to get started.
