Home to world-class manufacturing and industrial companies, such as Metal Container Corporation, Sinclair & Rush, and LMC Industries, the city of Arnold provides workers with a wide range of employment opportunities. When you work in a production facility, however, you may find yourself exposed to certain work-related circumstances that could cause injuries. If you’re hurt on the job, an Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer at Albers Injury Law will help you file your claim.
Why Would I Need an Arnold Workers’ Compensation Lawyer if I’m Injured at Work?
While your employer may tell you your medical expenses will be covered if you’re hurt on the job, you need to remain assured that your employer’s insurance company will provide the benefits you’re entitled to. Your injury could lead to long-term effects and disabling conditions that the insurance company may not be willing to cover.
An Arnold workers’ compensation attorney can help protect your rights and access to the full amount of compensation your injury deserves. In some cases, an employer may attempt to discourage you from filing a claim because it could increase the company’s insurance premiums. If that’s the case or if a claim is denied, having legal representation could determine whether or not you obtain your benefits.
How do I know if I’m eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Arnold, MO?
You could receive workers’ comp benefits if you were hurt on the job at a Missouri company that has five or more employees. There are exceptions, such as domestic servants in a private residence or farm workers, but large manufacturing companies are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for job-related injuries. An Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer can answer any eligibility questions if you’re hurt on the job.
What Steps Do I Take After My Work Injury in Arnold, MO?
Report an on-the-job injury to your manager, HR department, or employer, and then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Make sure your employer or manager completes an accident report. Overall, timing is important. If you wait too long to report your injury or contact a lawyer, you may jeopardize your ability to receive workers’ comp benefits.
When you see your doctor, be sure to explain how and where you were injured. Your doctor needs to know if your injury is job-related and who your employer is. If you don’t seek medical attention or fail to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions, your employer’s insurance carrier may deny your workers’ comp claim.
Collect and keep copies of all medical records associated with your work injury, which include prescriptions, medical treatment invoices, and receipts for orthopedic devices such as knee, back, or wrist braces. If the insurance carrier denies your claim by asserting your injury is related to a previous health condition, you may also need to provide documentation of any previous medical history. Your Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer may use records of your previous medical history to prove that your injury is solely work-related.
Filing Your Claim With the Help of a Workers’ Comp Attorney in Arnold, MO
If you’re recovering from a work-related accident, especially one that could bring long-term effects, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to navigate any filing or denial issues that arise. A local attorney familiar with the area’s manufacturing companies will be well prepared to deal with getting your claim approved while you remain focused on recovering from your injury.
A successful claim depends on carefully completing key paperwork requirements to obtain the benefits you deserve. Your Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer works through the submission process and communicates with all involved parties. You’ll appreciate the peace of mind that comes from knowing the negotiations with your employer’s insurance carrier will be conducted by your skilled legal representation.
What could workers’ comp benefits cover in Missouri in addition to medical expenses?
Benefits obtained through workers’ comp claims in the Show Me State can cover more than just medical bills and may also include compensation for:
- A portion of the income lost while off from work
- Permanent disabilities
- Travel costs for rehabilitation and recovery treatments
What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries?
Many of the root causes behind workplace accidents involve human factors, such as poor judgment, worker distraction, overexertion, or insufficient training. Because workers’ comp is a “no-fault” form of insurance, it does not matter if either the employer or the injured worker caused the accident. The basic requirement to file a claim is that the situation that led to the injury was work-related. An employer may, however, be found to be in violation of mandated safety regulations and fined in the aftermath of an injury investigation.
What types of injury-causing accidents tend to occur at manufacturing facilities?
Workers in the manufacturing fields often suffer injuries, such as sprains and back injuries, when they overexert themselves while lifting or handling various types of production elements. These types of injuries aren’t limited to the manufacturing fields; they can also occur in an office environment, the retail field, or any occupation where an employee picks up or moves a heavy box or object. Manually lifting, carrying, or moving something could cause a painful and debilitating injury when employees overexert themselves.
Some of the other types of injury-producing accidents that could occur in the manufacturing fields include those caused by:
- Exposure to harmful substances, loud noises, or high temperatures
- Tripping and falling
- Faulty tools or equipment
- Exposure to electrical hazards
- Insufficient personal protection equipment or missing machine guards
In addition to the muscle sprains and back injuries caused by overexertion, workers injured by industrial accidents may suffer severe medical issues, including:
- Broken bones
- Nerve and spinal cord damage
- Burns
- Electric shock
- Cuts, lacerations, and amputations
Although many work-related injuries occur after one single and physically traumatic event, an Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer may also handle claims that involve medical conditions that develop over a significant length of time.
Where Do Most Workplace Injuries Occur?
As noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, production facilities rank among the top five workplaces where job-related injuries occur. Employees who work in manufacturing may also face a greater risk of a work-related injury or medical condition if they work in certain areas within the production environment.
Most of the injuries that occur in manufacturing environments involve employees who work within or close to:
- Assembly lines or machinery areas
- Areas with high-voltage equipment or relays
- Loud noise or high-temperature environments
- Areas where harmful substances are stored or used
- Areas heavily trafficked by forklifts or trucks
The debilitating effects of toxic exposure, repetitive stress, or noise-level hearing loss may take years to develop while working in certain environments, but they could qualify for workers’ comp benefits when it’s shown that they’re job-related.
What Steps Should Be Taken if Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?
An Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer can serve as a valuable asset if your employer’s insurance carrier denies your work-related injury claim. You may need to file an appeal, which is an option that’s best served by legal assistance and representation.
The first step involves filing an application requesting a review of the denied claim. The application goes to the Missouri Labor Commission and the filing must occur no more than 20 days after receiving notification that your claim was denied. If the review application is also denied, the next step involves sending a notice of appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Filing a notice of appeal must take place within 30 days of receiving notification that your review request was denied by the Missouri Labor Commission. You must include proof in your notice of appeal that the claim should not have been denied.
Your Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer could provide proof of your claim’s validity through one of more of the following:
- Medical documentation and test results
- Injury photographs
- Doctor statements
- Workplace surveillance video
- Statements from co-workers
Speak to Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys in Arnold, MO
If you’re looking for answers and results related to a work-related injury or illness, speak to the Albers Injury Law team. You’ll find an Arnold workers’ compensation lawyer who will handle your claim submission, negotiate with the involved parties, and remain dedicated to obtaining the benefits you deserve. We’re available 24 hours a day all week long.
Contact us to schedule a no-cost evaluation of your circumstances and the worker’s comp benefits you could receive.