Workers' Compensation

Your Rights Under Missouri Law

Missouri Workers’ Compensation law provides three types of benefits for an employee who is injured while performing work-related duties:

Medical Treatment for the Injury
If you are injured on the job, report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible and ask for medical care for the injury.

Remember, the employer is paying for the medical treatment and has the right by law to select the physician.

If you seek treatment that has not  been authorized by your employer, you may have to pay for that treatment yourself.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
Your employer must pay you during the time the doctor says you are unable to work because of the injury.

• You will not receive TTD benefits for the first three (3) regularly scheduled workdays you are off unless you are off for a total of  fourteen (14) or more calendar days.
• TTD benefits are calculated at two-thirds (2/3) of your average weekly wage but will not exceed a maximum set by the legislature.
•  TTD benefits end when the doctor says you are able to return to work.

Permanent Disability
Once your doctor says you have reached maximum medical improvement, and you are not as physically able as you were before the injury, then you have a permanent disability that your employer will compensate you for under a formula established by the legislature.

The disability will either be “partial,” which means you are able to work, but there are limitations or restrictions as to what you can do, or “total,” which means you are unable to perform any work.

NOTE:  Please remember these benefits are paid to you tax-free. Also, if you have an injury that does not seem compensable under the Workers’ Compensation Law, it is important to seek legal advice before giving up on making a claim for benefits. For further information, call the Union office.