Permanent Partial Disability under MO work comp law explained

Missouri Work Comp Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

Attorneys at Lear Werts LLP represent Missouri workers who suffer from a permanent disability due to a work-related injury. If you are able to return to work but have a permanent disability, you may be entitled to a settlement or payment for your permanent partial disability (PPD). We can help you receive the compensation that you are entitled to under the law.

Eligibility for Permanent Partial Disability

With PPD benefits, the amount of compensation that you will receive for your permanent injury is determined by the extent of your disability. Generally, the magnitude of your disability must be evaluated by doctors or other experts. At Lear Werts LLP, we employ experts early in the claim process to ensure that your injury and its impact on your ability to perform work-related tasks are supported by objective medical findings. Complete documentation increases the likelihood that you will receive maximum benefits. Our attorneys possess the knowledge and understanding to procure proper medical assessment, appropriate tests, and diagnostic procedures to adequately demonstrate your disability without undue expense.

The Extent of Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

Missouri’s workers’ compensation law provides formulas that must be used to determine the amount of PPD awards. Settlement or payment amounts can vary depending upon many factors, including but not limited to:

Doctors’ disability ratings

Your average weekly wage

The date of your accident

Your occupation and employment history

Your education and training

While replacing the future earnings that you will lose because of your disability is an important consideration in setting the amount of PPD benefits, doctors often disagree regarding the percentage of permanent partial disability in any given case. Therefore, Missouri law employs a schedule, or list, of body parts and the benefits that are to be paid for specific losses. These losses include the upper and lower extremities and also an eyesight and hearing loss. The amount of the weekly PPD benefit is derived as a fraction of your earnings. For example, loss of an arm at the shoulder is awarded 232 weeks of benefits, with the weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to a weekly maximum amount. In comparison, loss of a hand at the wrist joint is awarded 175 weeks of benefits. Some losses are not accounted for in the schedule, and accordingly, are deemed unscheduled losses. Unscheduled losses often receive greater compensation amounts than scheduled losses.

Seek Knowledgeable Representation

Procuring full PPD benefits requires the mastery of numerous legal and medical variables, making the claim process potentially complex and tedious. Furthermore, the same degree of impairment may result in a vastly different degree of disability for different individuals. Therefore, if you suffer from a permanent disability, it is imperative to retain skilled legal counsel to ensure that you receive maximum PPD compensation. Please contact Lear Werts LLP today for a free initial consultation.

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Permanent Partial Disability under MO work comp law explained

Eligibility for Permanent Partial Disability

The Extent of Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

Seek Knowledgeable Representation

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