Lifting Injuries Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri

Unfortunately, even in the most well-regulated industries, there will always be a chance that a workplace injury will occur. In Jackson County alone, there were 11,747 reports of injuries made to the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation in 2021. If the nature of your work requires you to lift objects, your risk of injury may be even greater.

If you’ve recently been injured on the job, you may be wondering, “Can I get workers’ comp if I was injured lifting at work?” Call us at the Law Office Of John Adams Christiansen, LC for help. We’ve been helping clients since 1996 and have handled over 2,000 workers’ compensation cases. If you’re in or around the Kansas City, Missouri area including Blue Springs, Independence, Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Grain Valley, and Belton, reach out today to discuss your options.

Common Workplace Lifting Injuries

Many people may think that lifting injuries at work only happen in occupations like manufacturing, agriculture, or construction, but the truth is these injuries can even happen to office workers. Lifting heavy construction materials or heavy boxes can strain your back and neck, but also lifting common office equipment like copy machines, computers, or filing boxes can cause the same injuries. 

The most common concerns are head, neck, and back injuries, but repetitive motions like lifting can also cause lacerations, bone fractures, and harm to the joints like ankles, knees, and wrists. Pinched nerves, pulled muscles, disc injuries, and spine injuries are also very common.

What to Do If You Are Injured at Work

The first thing you should do if you are injured at work is seek medical attention. Sometimes, your injuries are acute and immediate, but other times, they could appear gradually. Whatever the case, you are entitled to seek medical treatment right away. Be sure to keep all documentation from this, including doctor’s reports, prescriptions, and bills. Next, you will want to notify your employer that you were injured and file an accident report. Accident reports are helpful to employers even if your injuries were minor because they could help put in place better safety protocols in the future. Once your employer is notified, they may request that you see a different doctor that works within their workers’ compensation network.

Lastly, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney, especially if your injuries are severe or expected to last a long time. Even just consulting with an experienced attorney can give you the peace of mind you need during this difficult time.

Missouri Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Missouri requires nearly all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees with the few exceptions of farm laborers, domestic servants, or the self-employed. When injured on the job, workers are then entitled to have their medical expenses covered, and some may receive temporary total disability (TTD) payments equal to ⅔ of their regular weekly pay. TTD is only available to workers who are unable to return to work because of their injury and is intended to cover a portion of your lost wages. If you are able to work in some capacity but cannot return to your previous position, you may be eligible for temporary partial disability payments. If your injury prevents you from returning to work permanently, you could qualify for permanent partial or total disability which can either be paid in a negotiated lump-sum, or in weekly payments that could theoretically be paid for your lifetime.

How an Attorney Can Help You

While it’s true that not everyone will need the help of an attorney, many people who sustain injuries on the job benefit from working with a workers’ compensation attorney. A good attorney can help you gather relevant evidence—including medical records—that will help when you file your claim, as well as negotiate on your behalf to achieve a fair settlement. Unfortunately, some insurance providers will try to offer an initial lowball offer they hope you’ll accept so they can close your case and move on. You’ll want someone with experience dealing with claims adjusters who will push back and fight for a better deal. Finally, if your claim goes to court, a skilled lawyer can represent you at your workers’ comp hearing and help you appeal any decisions you feel aren’t justified.