Workers Compensation Attorneys

Do I Need An Attorney?

That depends. While a minor injury that requires limited medical treatments and leaves no permanent effect can likely be handled directly with the employer’s insurance representatives, any work injury that requires extended medical care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, or results in longer-term effects is likely a claim where legal representation is going to be of substantial benefit. At Horn Law, we offer free legal consultation in all types of injury claims to determine if our legal representation is going to be of substantial benefit to the injured person and their family. We can not take on a case unless we can make a substantial difference in the amount of compensation paid to the injured worker. Legal consultation with Lead Attorney Doug Horn is easy to arrange. Typically, the initial consultation occurs via phone. After the initial consultation, we can make a decision about the next steps of your case.

Worker Compensation Benefits

During the initial consultations, we can explain the three primary benefits that every injured worker is entitled to, no matter who is at fault for the injury.

1. Medical Treatment

Because your employer is responsible for your medical expenses that result from an injury sustained at work, the employer has the right to select the physician who will treat your injury. Generally, the employer will have their insurance company get involved as soon as possible. No matter what the circumstances, an injured worker is entitled to the proper medical treatment. Legal representation by an attorney who concentrates on worker compensation claims can be important when it comes to obtaining proper and qualified medical treatment.

2. Lost Wages

If you are missing work as a result of a work injury, the state laws provide a reimbursement of your lost wages. This benefit is known as “temporary total disability” or “TTD.” In Missouri, TTD benefits are calculated at two-thirds of the injured worker’s average weekly wage, not to exceed a maximum amount set by law.

Generally, an injured worker is not going to need legal representation to receive this TTD benefit. However, legal consultation can be beneficial to make sure the TTD is being calculated correctly under the law. Again, free legal consultation with us can ensure you are getting full benefits.

3. Permanent Partial Disability (“PPD”)

This is where legal representation can make a substantial benefit. PPD is compensation that is paid to an injured worker to account for the lasting effects of an injury. For instance, a worker may suffer a back injury where the soft tissues are strained and stretched, and the injured worker will receive rehabilitation therapy to help with the recovery.

Because the injured’s person back will never be the same, the worker is entitled to compensation for this “disability,” provided a doctor has rated him or her with a disability rating under specific medical guidelines. In these situations, the treating doctor, who is being paid by the employer’s insurance company, will typically rate an injury very conservatively, which will result in lower compensation paid to the injured worker.

However, if a worker compensation lawyer protects an injured worker, the lawyer will arrange for an independent rating to be performed by an independent doctor who is qualified to issue PPD ratings. In our experience of over 25 years of handling Missouri and Kansas worker compensation claims, the PPD rating coming from an independent doctor will be substantially higher. This translates to a much better settlement for the injured worker.

4. Permanent Total Disability

If an injured worker is catastrophically injured such that he or she is totally disabled from working again, the injured worker is entitled to lifetime benefits called Permanent Total Disability or “PTD.” These cases are complex and demand the best possible legal representation. For instance, our clients who have suffered a permanent total disability over 15 years ago are continuing to receive weekly checks since they are unable to work. Our law firm continues to work for these clients, making sure that they continue to receive weekly checks as part of lifetime settlement awards.