Filing For Workers’ Compensation
Filing for workers’ compensation in Kansas and Missouri is supposed to be a fairly straightforward process. If you’re ever hurt at work or realize you have suffered a work-related injury such as exposure to a toxic substance or repetitive use conditions, your first step should be to report the injury to your employer.
If you have suffered an emergency or life-threatening or serious injury, you will need to contact an ambulance or emergency personnel first. In this case, you’ll want to contact your employer as soon as you can after you’ve received initial emergency medical care.
Your employer should file a claim on your behalf through their insurance company. If they do not have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees or claim you do not qualify for coverage, you’ll want to contact a workers’ compensation filing lawyer to review your case.
What Can a Workers’ Compensation Filing Lawyer in Joplin, MO or Your Community Do?
An attorney can do several things:
- They can ensure the information your employer and their insurance company files was accurate and correctly represented your injury without minimizing it.
- They can establish your employer is properly insured and offers workers’ compensation for all qualified employees. If they do not, your attorney may be able to advise you on options you may have.
- They can help you schedule an appointment for a second opinion
- They can work to protect you if you’re asked to return to work before you have healed.
- They can fight to get you compensation and benefits in a timely fashion in the form of weekly checks and payment of medical expenses.
- They can submit the paperwork necessary to confirm medical expenses, travel reimbursement and other benefits are paid to you as required.
When Should You Consult a Workers’ Compensation Filing Attorney?
Some injured workers decide to contact an attorney before they even file a claim or after they have spoken to their employer. If your employer gives you any indication that he or she may not want to honor your claim or if your claim is complicated for any reason, contacting an attorney can help protect your rights. Knowing your rights under the law and acting in a timely manner can ensure that you’re protected if you do encounter any problems.
Some workers wait to contact an attorney. You may contact an attorney at any point in the workers compensation process. If you notice that something is incorrect, you’re not receiving proper care or you’re being forced back to work before you’re healed, you may contact a workers’ compensation attorney at any time to get legal advice and representation in your case.
You can always contact our offices for a free consultation to discuss your case. You can contact a workers’ comp filing lawyer in our Pittsburg, Coffeyville and Kansas City, KS offices as well as at our Joplin, MO location. Our services are available in English and Spanish, and each workers’ compensation filing lawyer on our team has extensive experience.