Stephen Schultz | March 6, 2025 | Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
A workers’ compensation insurance provider may make a settlement offer at any point during your case. However, accepting a quick settlement offer may not be in your best interest. Instead, it is best to talk with a workers’ compensation lawyer early in your case to understand your rights and legal options. With sound legal advice, you will know when a workers’ comp settlement offer is fair.
When Will Workers’ Comp Offer Me a Settlement?
Generally, a workers’ compensation settlement is not discussed until you reach maximum medical improvement or MMI. Your doctor determines when you reach MMI. An injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement when the doctor determines no further medical treatment or time will likely improve a worker’s injuries.
A worker may fully recover or their injuries may result in a permanent impairment or disability. Therefore, waiting until you reach MMI before accepting a workers’ comp settlement is crucial.
A doctor needs to evaluate your condition to determine the severity of long-term disabilities. Your impairment rating significantly impacts the value of a workers’ compensation settlement.
Overview of Workers’ Compensation Settlement Process in St. Louis, MO
Numerous steps must take place in a workers’ compensation case before settlement. Steps in a workers’ comp case include:
Notice of Injury or Accident
If you are injured at work, report the injury to your supervisor or employer immediately. Workers have 30 days to notify their employer of a work-related injury, or they may not receive workers’ comp benefits. The Missouri statute of limitations for filing a formal workers’ comp claim is two years in most cases.
Seek Medical Treatment for Injuries
Your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company pays for reasonable and necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries. An employer or the insurance provider has the right to choose the healthcare provider. If you see a doctor you choose, you do so at your own expense.
An exception is emergency medical services. If you require immediate medical treatment, go to the nearest hospital or call 911 for EMS.
Report of Injury
Your employer must file reports with the Division of Workers’ Compensation after you notify them of your injury. If they fail to do so, they could be subject to fines or imprisonment.
Benefits for Lost Wages
If your injury prevents you from working during your recovery, you can receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These benefits compensate you for a portion of your lost wages. Generally, TTD benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wages before your workplace accident.
Ongoing Medical Treatment
You continue receiving medical treatment until you reach MMI. If you make a full recovery, you can return to work, and your workers’ compensation benefits will end. However, if your doctor determines your injuries caused an impairment or disability,
Your doctor evaluates your disability and issues an impairment rating. The insurance company may require you to attend an independent medical examination (IME) to confirm your disability and impairment rating.
Resolving Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
After you reach MMI, your attorney and the insurance company may negotiate a settlement. If you believe the settlement offer is unfair or you did not receive all the benefits you are entitled to, know that you may have options. For example, you may be able to appeal the decision.
Do I Need an Attorney for Workers’ Compensation Settlements in St. Louis, MO?
You can represent yourself in a workers’ compensation case. However, you have the right to consult an attorney and hire a lawyer to handle your case. When you accept a workers’ compensation settlement, it ends your case. Therefore, you should seek legal advice before settling a claim to ensure the settlement offer is fair.
Workers’ comp claims and the appeals process can be complicated. There are short deadlines and numerous filing requirements. A workers’ comp attorney handles these matters for you to avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.
Learn More During a Free Consultation With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
The time it takes to settle your workers’ comp case depends on numerous factors. Our legal team at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers will work to settle your claim as quickly as possible. However, we will not rush to settle your claim merely to close the case.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers put your best interests and needs as the priority. We’ll fight to obtain maximum workers’ comp benefits for your work-related injury claim. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Louis, MO
If you’ve been injured, please contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1430 Washington Ave Ste 225
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr
St. Louis, MO 63124
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502
Columbia, MO 65201
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
