Anyone who is injured while doing work for their employer is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of whether or not their job involves physical tasks. A workers’ compensation attorney in St. Louis MO can evaluate whether someone is entitled to receive benefits for nontraditional employment, such as an independent contractor or subcontractor.

Workers’ compensation is typically the exclusive remedy for employees who are injured at work, but there are some exceptions — for example, if someone other than your employer negligently caused your injury.

A workers’ comp lawyer near you will evaluate your case to determine if an additional or alternative lawsuit can be filed.

Workers’ compensation insurance companies have their own attorneys and law firms working on their behalf. Their top priority is to protect their bottom line, even if that means cheating an injured employee out of necessary medical care. You should not have to defend yourself from insurers when you are recovering from a work injury.

When seeking legal representation, select someone who will fight on your behalf to make sure you receive proper medical care, full and fair compensation, and timely payment of benefits beginning immediately after an injury at work has occurred.

Contact our workers’ compensation law firm for help getting the money you deserve.

There are a few deadlines to meet when filing a workers’ compensation claim. First, the employer must be notified of the injury as soon as possible. Notification must be made within 30 days in Missouri, and within 45 days in Illinois. There are also time limits on how long someone can wait to file a claim.

In Missouri, generally a claim must be filed within two years from the date of injury.

In Illinois, the filing deadline is typically three years from the date of injury.

Sometimes there are exceptions to these deadlines. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney near you to discuss your case.

After any workplace injury, employees should:

1. Immediately report the injury to their employer in writing.
2. Get medical help.
3. Collect important documentation.
4. Keep a basic logbook or journal.
5. Contact a workers’ compensation law firm.

Your employer and/or insurance provider must provide treatment for a work-related injury. The procedure of choosing a Workers’ Comp doctor varies by state.

For more information about your rights and responsibilities after a work injury, read our post: What To Do When You Are Injured at Work.

Injured workers or surviving family members can file a workers’ compensation claim to recover payment for:

• Lost Wages
• Medical Expenses
• Permanent Partial or Total Disability
• Death Benefits

After a work injury, the compensation may come in the form of a weekly paycheck, a lump sum payment, and/or ongoing disability or death benefit payments. Consult a workers’ compensation lawyer in St. Louis for more information.

Recreational use of marijuana by adults (21+) is legal in many states, including Missouri and Illinois. However, marijuana use is still illegal under federal law, and employers in any state can prohibit their employees from using marijuana at their discretion. After testing positive for drug use, an employee can be fired and/or denied workers’ compensation benefits.

The ability to recover benefits for an injury involving marijuana use will depend on the unique details of your case. Read more about how the legalization of marijuana has impacted workers’ compensation.