May 19, 2026 | Personal Injury, Workers Compensation
Workers’ comp claims are some of the most neglected claims when it comes to receiving compensation for injuries or wrongful death due to an accident or negligence. Each state has a minimum number of employees a company must have before being required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
While most state’s rules are very similar, each state also has different requirements and stipulations as to the types of insurance coverage they must carry.
According to recent data, private employers report roughly 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in a typical year nationwide, and millions of those cases involve medical treatment and time off work. The average cost of a workers’ compensation claim with lost time is now more than $47,000 dollars according to the National Safety Council, with certain types of injuries—like motor vehicle crashes and burns—costing far more.
Each state has their own laws regarding workers’ compensation, but, for the most part, they are all relatively similar. In Missouri, for instance, businesses with a minimum of five (5) employees are required to provide their employees with certain workers’ compensation benefits. For more information, see this article on workers’ compensation requirements in Missouri.
Missouri has a lot of blue-collar workers, and for obvious reasons, these employees are far more susceptible to workplace injuries than office/white-collar employees. Obviously, there are industries with a higher volume of workplace injuries, and a select group of industries has the most frequent workplace fatalities. Any sort of illness or injury that was the direct result of your job is potential grounds for a workers’ compensation lawsuit.
As stated before, most companies are required to provide certain benefits or compensation if an injury is sustained on the job, but that does not mean you will receive as much as you deserve.Employers and (especially) insurance companies frequently try to pay out the bare minimum to employees filing for workman’s comp. Because of this, we always recommend at least speaking with a local workers’ compensation attorney.
They will be able to tell you your rights and help you understand whether or not you have a case.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were around 2,800,000 reported nonfatal injuries or illnesses sustained at the workplace in 2017. Nearly 900,000 of these injuries or illnesses resulted in the employee missing at least one day of work.
Accidents that occur in your workplace, especially those occurring in construction sites and other hazardous premises, often cause a severe brain injury. They generally occur when a worker slips or is struck by a hard or sharp object and injures his/her head. Find out more about workers’ compensation for construction workers.
Workers’ compensation for brain injuries can be long, difficult cases.
Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to severe, permanent brain damage and often require extensive treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work. Claims involving the head or central nervous system are among the most expensive workers’ comp cases, averaging $91,844 per claim in recent years.
While the amount of asbestos and mesothelioma workers’ compensation cases have decreased, the dangers are definitely still present. Automobile mechanics, attic insulators, carpenters, firefighters, and other jobs run a higher risk of employees being exposed to asbestos which causes a deadly form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma often appears decades after the exposure. Because of the long latency period and the complexity of proving exposure history, these claims are challenging and typically require experienced legal help.
While firefighters run the obvious risk of sustaining burn injuries while on the job, other industries such as manufacturing, chemical plants, and other industrial areas are also common for workers’ compensation injury claims.
A burn injury case is different than other injury cases and it is important to understand the difference. Burn injuries are complex and expensive. They often require multiple skin grafts and other surgeries. There is a lengthy recovery period during which the risk of infection is great. Victims are often unable to work again for many months or years, if ever. They frequently require intensive psychological counseling as a result of the drastic changes in their appearance and abilities.
Most of the time, a slip, trip, or fall is relatively harmless, but in the wrong environment, it can be devastating. Construction sites, factories, warehouses, and other industrial settings often contain large machinery, unfinished floors, cords, cluttered walkways, or spilled liquids that turn a simple slip into a serious accident.
Even in offices, retail stores, and hospitals, wet floors or poor maintenance can lead to knee, ankle, hip, or back injuries that require surgery and extended time off work. Falls and slips are also one of the most expensive causes of workers’ compensation claims, with average lost‑time claim costs over $51,000.
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most difficult injuries to recover from. While catastrophic spinal cord damage can occur when a worker falls from a height or is crushed in a motor vehicle or machinery accident, even seemingly minor tasks such as lifting, twisting, or bending over can cause herniated discs and nerve damage.
Any injury involving the neck, back, or central nervous system tends to be expensive and disruptive, often leading to permanent restrictions, chronic pain, and long‑term wage loss. These claims frequently involve multiple specialists, physical therapy, pain management, and sometimes surgery.
Employees who spend a lot of time outdoors or visiting people’s homes are at higher risk of animal attacks. This includes delivery drivers, postal workers, home health nurses, utility workers, pest control technicians, and many service professionals.
Dog bites and other animal attacks can cause lacerations, infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. In these cases, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate claim against the animal’s owner, which can increase your total recovery.
Of all of the workers’ compensation claims, traffic and automobile injuries are among the most common. From semi-truck accidents to delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, salespeople, home health workers, and anyone whose job requires driving.
Workers’ compensation covers injuries that occur while you are driving for work—even if another driver was at fault. Motor‑vehicle‑related claims have the highest average cost of any cause of injury, at $90,914 per claim in the most recent data. These cases often involve fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, and long‑term disability.
Overexertion injuries are caused by overusing muscles or joints or moving them in a dangerous way, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy loads. These injuries frequently affect the back, shoulders, knees, and neck and are extremely common in construction, manufacturing, warehouse, healthcare, and transportation work.
Repetitive strain injuries involve repeated motions over time, such as typing, assembly line work, scanning items, or using tools. Common examples include tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions can be just as disabling as sudden accidents and may require time off work, physical therapy, and ergonomic changes.
According to federal data and national insurance statistics:
These numbers highlight how important it is to take a work injury seriously and to make sure your claim is filed and handled correctly.
Any illness or injury that is the direct result of your job can be grounds for a workers’ compensation claim. Most employers are required to provide certain benefits if an injury is sustained on the job, but that does not mean you will automatically receive everything you deserve.
Insurance companies regularly try to minimize payouts by:
Because of this, we always recommend at least speaking with a local workers’ compensation attorney before you accept a settlement. An experienced lawyer can explain your rights, gather evidence, and push back when the insurance company undervalues your case
Injuries caused by an accident or negligence while working can happen to anyone, regardless of the job or industry. If you have been injured on the job, it is important to take the right steps to ensure that you receive the proper medical attention and compensation for your injuries. Here are some important steps to take after a workplace injury.
The first and most important step after a workplace injury is to seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate your condition and document your injuries. This will not only ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment, but it will also create a record of your injuries that can be used to support your workers’ compensation claim.
After seeking medical attention, the next step is to report the injury to your employer. This should be done as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the incident. Your employer will then be responsible for filing a workers’ compensation claim with their insurance company.
If you are injured at work, the steps you take in the first hours and days can have a major impact on your health and your claim.
If you have been injured on the job, it is important to consult with workers’ compensation attorneys at Ortwerth Law. Our injury lawyers can help you navigate the complex workers’ compensation system, ensure that you receive the proper medical attention and compensation for your injuries, and help protect your legal rights.
If you have been injured on the job, it is important to take the right steps to ensure that you receive the proper medical attention and compensation for your injuries. By seeking medical attention, reporting the injury to your employer, documenting the incident, and consulting with our experienced workers’ compensation attorney, you can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation with Craig
