St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Advocating For Injured Missouri And Illinois Workers

Missouri And Illinois Workers’ Compensation: Your Right To Benefits

Workers’ compensation operates on a no-fault basis. This is crucial: if your injury or illness arose out of and in the course of employment, you are generally covered for benefits. Eligibility does not depend on proving who was negligent or who made the mistake.

Our dedicated team has the deep knowledge required to handle claims under both the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation and the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Who Qualifies For Workers’ Compensation?

In both states, any employee – full-time, part-time, union or nonunion – is generally covered by workers’ compensation. This applies to workers in manufacturing, construction, health care and public service jobs across the St. Louis region.

Union Members

If you are a union member, your workers’ compensation claim is handled just like any other individual claim. We provide fierce individual representation, separate from your union’s internal grievance procedures.

Preexisting Conditions

One aspect often misunderstood is that if a new injury or your daily work has aggravated a preexisting condition (like an old back injury or asthma), you may still have rights to benefits. We assist with the detailed documentation needed to support your claim.

Injuries We Fight For

We represent clients with serious injuries that impact their ability to work, providing diligent guidance and representation for:

• Traumatic brain injuries from falling objects or accidents
• Spinal cord injuries, back injuries and neck injuries
• Knee injuries and shoulder injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries
• Crush injuries, amputations, lacerations and burns
• Aggravation of preexisting conditions

Our attorneys understand the severe impact these physical conditions have on your ability to work and your family’s financial security.

Timelines And The Claims Process

The system has strict deadlines designed to protect the employer, which means timely action is critical to preserving your rights:

1. Tell your employer right away: Do this in writing. While Missouri allows up to 30 days, reporting your injury immediately is always critical to protecting your case.
2. See a doctor: Get the necessary medical care, and be sure to inform them that your injury occurred at work.
3. File your claim: Send the official form promptly to the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation or the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Strict deadlines apply, so contact us if you need help managing these filings.

If you are facing slow payments, denial of medical care or a low settlement offer, you do not have to fight alone. All too frequently, some employers and insurance companies will fight a worker’s right to medical care and fair compensation. We have the resources and skills to handle even the most difficult cases.

How We Fight For Your Full Compensation

When the insurance company disputes your claim, you need an aggressive advocate to push back. Our mission is to pursue the maximum benefits you are entitled to under the law, including full medical care and wage replacement (typically 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage).

Schuchat, Cook & Werner provides relentless pursuit of justice by:

• Guiding the claim: We make sure all filing deadlines are met and all paperwork is accurately processed with the Missouri Division or the Illinois Commission.
• Gathering evidence: We work directly with your doctors to secure the detailed medical evidence needed to prove your injury and your inability to work.
• Providing representation: We provide firm representation at all hearings, settlement conferences and appeals, fighting for the medical care and compensation you deserve.

Our involvement helps strengthen your position to seek maximum benefits and provides diligent protection of your rights at every stage of the state claims process.

We Are Focused On Results, Not Hourly Bills

We understand you are facing financial difficulty while healing. For this reason, we handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency-fee basis.

You pay no attorney fees upfront. We only collect a fee – typically a percentage (around 25%) of the total award – if and when we successfully obtain compensation for you. This ensures our focus is on getting you the right outcome, not billing hours.

Our Workers’ Compensation Group Of Attorneys

• 
  Dean L. Christianson, Partner
• 
  Clare R. Behrle, Partner
• 
  Christie R. Deaton, Associate

What To Expect

Pain, treatment and the recovery process are not your only concerns after you have been injured at work. All too frequently, some employers and insurance companies will fight a worker’s right to medical care and fair compensation. You do not have to fight alone. We have the resources and skills to handle even the most difficult cases.

Get In Touch With Our St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Group

You do not have to face your on-the-job injury alone. Let us help you understand how workers’ compensation benefits can help you manage your life while healing from your work injury.

If you have been injured on the job or have questions about your rights under Missouri or Illinois workers’ compensation law, call us today at 314-621-2626 or 888-365-0445 or send an email. Let us put our dedicated and steadfast advocacy to work for you.

Your well-being is our primary concern; we are driven by results, not profit.