Workers' compensation is meant to provide benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Benefits can include medical expenses, temporary income benefits, therapy, and awards for being permanently disabled. In Missouri, workers' compensation is the often the only remedy available to employees who get hurt or are made ill at their workplace. If you are injured at work, you cannot sue your employer for damages. However, you will not be required to prove fault on anyone’s part to receive your benefits.

Every year, thousands of employees are injured on the job in Missouri workplaces. In most cases, these victims receive workers' compensation benefits by completing the necessary documents. Unfortunately, insurance companies often deny legitimate claims, leaving injured workers struggling to make ends meet. If you've been injured at work, you may be wondering if you need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you secure the benefits you may be entitled to receive.

There are many reasons an insurer or employer might give for denying a workers’ compensation claim, including: following are some explanations that might be given as to why  workman’s compensation benefits were denied:

  • The injury happened outside the scope of the employment. An insurance company could claim that the employee was on a personal errand when the injury occurred.  
  • The injury is preexisting. Medical and witness evidence might be required to show that the claimant was healthy prior to the workplace accident.
  • The claimant failed to follow proper procedures for reporting the injury. Waiting too long to report an incident or failing to complete necessary paperwork could lead to a denial of benefits.  
  • The employer disputes the claimant’s account. An employer might reject a claim because there were no witnesses or the injury was not inherent to the kind of work being performed.
  • Drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident. It’s customary for an employer to send an injured employee for a drug test immediately following an accident. If an illegal or prohibited substance is found, it could trigger a rejection.

Going through the maze of workers’ compensation law can be difficult if you don’t have a knowledgeable attorney to guide you. Completing the necessary documents on deadline might be a difficult challenge to someone unfamiliar with the process. Insurance companies look for ways to deny claims, which can create a severe hardship for injured workers and their families.

If you have been injured at work, speak with an accomplished Missouri attorney at RJC Law in Springfield by calling 417-233-0073 or contacting me online for a free consultation.