If you have ever filed a Workers’ Compensation claim, you may be familiar with the “Second Injury” Fund. A second injury fund helps cover workers’ compensation costs when a new injury worsens a pre-existing disability. It reduces employer liability to encourage hiring or retaining disabled workers. The fund is funded by assessments on employers and insurance carriers. The Second...
Continue ReadingWhen workers get hurt on the job in Missouri or Arkansas, they face an important decision regarding their legal options for seeking compensation. Generally, there are two avenues to pursue legal action. While workers’ compensation provides immediate benefits (like medical coverage), personal injury claims allow for the pursuit of additional compensation. When choosing between a claim for workers’ comp...
Continue ReadingThe short answer is yes, surgery can increase a workers’ compensation settlement. However, surgery is just one factor that can affect the final settlement amount. Undergoing surgery has very real physical and emotional impacts. Above all, when considering whether to undergo surgery, it’s important to make the right choice for your health—not for the possible increase in payout. How...
Continue ReadingThe purpose of Workers’ Compensation is to provide benefits to covered employees who suffer a job-related injury. Under the Workers’ Compensation system, the employee is not required to prove fault in order to receive benefits, as long as that employee releases potential legal claims against the employer for that injury. In the event of a worker’s death, workers’ compensation...
Continue ReadingIn some workers’ compensation cases, the injured employee has suffered some form of permanent disability, as the result of a complex injury. In those types of cases, the injured employee’s medical condition is likely to change as time passes, often in unforeseen ways. In these situations, where there is a question or concern about the future status of your...
Continue ReadingMost employers in Arkansas with three or more employees are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage, although there are some exceptions to this general rule. Even though Arkansas workers’ compensation law protects you, getting the benefits rightfully yours can be challenging. Having an experienced and knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney guide and assist you through the process...
Continue ReadingIf you are in Missouri and your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you will want to seek the representation of a knowledgeable and experienced Missouri workers’ comp attorney. Whether your claim is denied or you are unsatisfied with the benefit amount, you have the right to appeal the determination. Unfortunately, denials are common. There are multiple levels to the...
Continue ReadingIn Arkansas, if you are injured as a direct result of your job, you may need to file a claim for workers’ compensation. However, there are important deadlines you must meet to be eligible for workers’ comp. These deadlines include a statute of limitations, which governs how long you have to file a claim for workers’ comp after you...
Continue ReadingFrom cooks to factory workers, many Missouri employees work with heat, flames, sparks, and chemicals daily, putting them at risk of severe burns. Under Missouri state law, employees burned on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp laws apply regardless of who caused the injury. In other words, it doesn’t matter if your carelessness or an employer’s...
Continue ReadingOver the past couple of years, the coronavirus has caused many people’s lives to be turned upside down. A lot of frontline workers have contracted the disease due to their close contact with others. If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 due to work, you may be wondering, does workers’ comp cover COVID? Here’s everything you need to know about...
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