Were you injured in a workplace accident in Columbia, Missouri? Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call (314) 444-4444 now to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia workplace accident lawyer. Whether your injury occurred on a construction site, in a factory, or at the office, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Workplace accidents can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. With over a century of combined legal experience, our team has the resources and commitment to guide you through every step of the process and fight for the recovery you deserve under Missouri law.
Why Choose Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Workplace Accident Case in Columbia?
Choosing the right attorney after a workplace injury in Columbia, MO, can make all the difference in your recovery. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve built our reputation on relentless advocacy and client-centered service.
When you hire us, you can expect to benefit from:
- Over 100 years of combined experience: Our attorneys have decades of proven experience handling workplace accident claims across Missouri.
- $100+ million recovered: We have secured significant verdicts and settlements. We ensure injured workers and their families get justice.
- Comprehensive case preparation: We thoroughly investigate every workplace accident. We identify liable parties and develop a strategy uniquely tailored to maximize your compensation.
- Unwavering commitment: We never back down from powerful employers, insurance companies, or corporations. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case all the way to trial.
When you trust our Columbia personal injury attorneys, you gain a legal team that knows how to navigate Missouri workers’ compensation laws and personal injury claims. We will choose the best path to ensure maximum results for you.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Workplace Accident Case Worth in Missouri?
Victims of workplace accidents often want to know early on what their case might be worth. The truth is, there is no formula that guarantees a specific outcome. Instead, the value of your case depends on a variety of factors, including:
- The severity of your injury: A broken wrist may require weeks of recovery. A traumatic brain injury or spinal injury may cause permanent disability.
- The extent of medical treatment required: Surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and rehabilitation costs all increase the value of your claim.
- Your ability to return to work: If you cannot return to your prior job (or cannot work at all), your damages will be significantly higher.
- Impact on your quality of life: Non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress play an important role in your recovery.
- Liability issues: If multiple parties share responsibility for your accident, the value of your case may depend on how fault is divided.
Missouri’s system allows workers to seek benefits through workers’ compensation, but those benefits are often limited. In some cases, workers may also bring third-party claims against negligent contractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers.
These third-party claims often result in significantly higher compensation. They allow recovery for pain and suffering and other losses not covered by workers’ compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Workplace Accident Victims in Columbia?
The damages you are entitled to depend on whether you are filing a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party personal injury claim.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Missouri’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who are injured on the job, regardless of fault. However, it does not allow for the full range of damages available in a personal injury lawsuit.
If you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may be entitled to the following benefits:
- Medical care
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): If you suffer permanent limitations, but can still work in some capacity, you may receive a lump-sum payment based on the extent of your impairment.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Death benefits
Workers’ compensation does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. However, if a third party (not your employer) contributed to your injury, you may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim for additional compensation.
Personal Injury Claims
In Missouri, workplace accident victims may pursue two primary categories of damages in a personal injury claim: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse the measurable financial losses caused by your accident. This can include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vocational rehabilitation
Non-economic damages recognize the very real, but less tangible, losses caused by your injury. These damages can compensate for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are rare, but also possible. However, in cases where an employer or third party acted with extreme recklessness, they may be awarded. These damages are designed to deter future bad conduct because they act as a punishment for the wrongdoer.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Workplace Accident Lawyer in Columbia?
Injured workers are often concerned about legal costs. This is especially true at a time when medical bills and lost income are already creating financial stress. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we eliminate this worry by offering our services on a contingency fee basis.
This means:
- You pay nothing up front.
- You pay no legal fees while your case is ongoing.
- You only pay us if we secure compensation for you.
This system ensures that everyone (regardless of financial resources) can access high-quality legal representation in Columbia. Contact our office today to learn how our fee arrangement levels the playing field for our clients.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for the Workplace Accident in Missouri?
Missouri applies a pure comparative fault rule in personal injury claims. This means that even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your damages will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are awarded $200,000 in damages, but found 25% at fault, you would still recover $150,000.
In workers’ compensation claims, fault is not usually a factor. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if you contributed to the accident. However, if you pursue a third-party claim, comparative fault becomes highly relevant. Insurance companies frequently use this rule to reduce payouts. This makes strong legal advocacy a necessity for your case.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Accident Damages in Columbia
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we take pride in building comprehensive cases that address the full scope of losses experienced by workplace accident victims. We know that compensation is about more than just covering medical bills – it’s about restoring stability and dignity to your life.
Our firm fights to recover compensation for:
- Surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Prescription medications and assistive devices.
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential.
- The long-term costs of permanent disabilities or limitations.
- The emotional and psychological toll of your injuries.
- The loss of enjoyment of life caused by lasting impairments.
By presenting evidence of the true human impact of your injuries, we ensure your settlement or verdict reflects the full story of what you’ve endured.
What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Columbia?
Missouri workers face a wide variety of hazards on the job. Some of the most common causes of workplace accidents in Columbia include:
- Falls from heights: Construction workers often face risks from scaffolding, ladders, and rooftops.
- Slip and fall accidents: Wet floors, cluttered workspaces, and uneven surfaces can cause serious fractures and head injuries.
- Machinery and equipment failures: Defective tools, poorly maintained equipment, or a lack of proper training often lead to devastating injuries.
- Falling objects: Tools, materials, or debris falling from above can cause head and spinal injuries.
- Vehicle accidents: Delivery drivers, truckers, and employees operating company vehicles are at risk of collisions.
- Exposure to hazardous substances: Workers in industrial or agricultural settings may be exposed to harmful chemicals.
- Electrical accidents: Contact with live wires or faulty wiring can result in severe burns or electrocution.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Even desk jobs can cause injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or chronic back pain.
These causes highlight the importance of employer responsibility. Missouri law requires employers to provide a reasonably safe workplace. When they fail to do so, workers pay the price.
How Long Do I Have To File My Workplace Accident Case in Missouri?
Missouri law sets strict deadlines for workplace accident claims. These are known as the statute of limitations. For workers’ compensation claims, you must notify your employer of the accident within 30 days and file your claim within two years of the injury.
If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, you usually have five years from the date of the accident to bring your case in Missouri civil court.
Failing to meet these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation. Prompt legal action gives your attorney time to investigate, preserve evidence, and build the strongest case possible.
Contact a Columbia Workplace Accident Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation Today
A workplace accident can leave you feeling powerless. Remember, you are not without options. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to help you pursue justice. With more than a century of combined legal experience, we know how to take on insurance companies and win.
If you’ve been hurt in a workplace accident in Columbia, Missouri, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia workplace accident lawyer. Let us stand by your side, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
