Section 287.140.1 states that an employer must advance or reimburse “necessary and reasonable expenses” incurred when injured employees are required to go outside the “local or metropolitan area from the employee’s principal place of employment” for treatment.
The statute’s upper limit for reimbursement of such travel is two hundred fifty miles each way “from the place of treatment.”
These guidelines are plainly written and should be interpreted under the “strict construction” rule generally appled to Missouri workers’ compensation claims. See Mo. Rev. Stat Section 287.800 (2010). This statute, on its face, clearly states when transportation is reimbursed and when it is not.
Based on a strict reading of the statute I conclude that so long as the Plaintiff does not claim more than 250 miles each way from treatment the costs can be reimbursed.
If you have a Missouri work injury and are being lied to by worker’s comp doctors or you are unfairly treated by your employer and repaid for mileage, contact Cantor Injury Law, LLC.
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