Jan 6th, 2021
What are the circumstances that will bring us before the judge? The following are the different docket settings used at the Department of Labor. Pre-hearings– These are randomly set by the Division of Workers’ Compensation for the parties (attorneys) to appear before the judge and give an update. I RARELY HAVE MY CLIENTS ATTEND THESE.
Read MoreDec 23rd, 2020
This is a slippery slope. Nurse case managers are assigned by insurance adjusters to handle a claim. Their job is to coordinate doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and other aspects of treatment. They may contact you about scheduling appointments. BUT….they also will show up at the doctor’s appointments with you. They will try to come into the
Read MoreDec 9th, 2020
As if you don’t have enough to think about when you’re injured, here’s another thing to stay on top of. When you first file your injury, you will hopefully receive a card to use when you have to pick up prescriptions. However, I would say that most of my clients never get a card, or
Read MoreNov 25th, 2020
Have things become tense between you and your employer after your injury? This is one reason to seek legal counsel right away. There is something in the Statute called “post-injury misconduct.” Essentially, it says misconduct after the injury will render you ineligible for TTD payments. The law says it can’t be applied to time missed
Read MoreNov 11th, 2020
The first hurdle when you have a work injury is “does the employer admit that this incident happened at all?” For instance, if you fall off of a ladder and your co-worker was right there holding the ladder, your employer is not going to deny the injury all together. However, if you fall and no
Read MoreOct 28th, 2020
Though not often a priority during the course of a case, the Missouri Statute does compensate injured workers for “disfigurement.” This is scarring, or a difference in appearance on the face, neck, arms, and hands. For example, a worker is often compensated for the surgical scars from elbow surgeries, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Further,
Read MoreOct 14th, 2020
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is considered an “occupational disease” by the Workers’ Compensation statute. This means it’s not a specific injury at an exact moment in time. Rather, it develops over time. The law looks at occupational diseases differently than acute injuries. First, there are complicated issues about when did it start, when did you get
Read MoreSep 30th, 2020
I often get calls from an injured worker saying, “I received this letter in the mail saying to sign and show up to see the judge on this date so I can get ‘X’ amount of money.” When you’re finished with treatment, you may not hear anything from the insurance company for months. You have
Read MoreSep 16th, 2020
This is extremely important. Do not hire an attorney who isn’t well-versed on navigating through the Social Security Disability process while you also have a pending work injury case. If you are unable to return to work and apply for disability, medical bills and settlement have to be handled very carefully. There is something
Read MoreSep 2nd, 2020
At the beginning of your case, when an adjuster is assigned by the insurance company, he or she will call you for a recorded statement about your injury. You will be asked how the injury happened, who witnessed it, what body parts you injured, and if you have any prior injury to the same
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