Missouri Second Injury Fund Benefits Explained
Attorneys at Lear Werts LLP are well-versed in the procedures used to file workers’ compensation claims against Missouri’s Second Injury Fund. The Second Injury Fund is a special fund established to provide additional compensation for workers with preexisting injuries, disabilities, or handicaps. If you had a physical or mental disability before you were injured at work, you may qualify for additional benefits from the Second Injury Fund.
Eligibility for Second Injury Fund Benefits
The purpose of Missouri’s Second Injury Fund is to encourage employers to hire and retain employees who have disabilities. Established after World War II, the fund was set up in response to employers’ reluctance to hire veterans who had sustained serious injuries in the war. The basic premise of the fund is that the State will pay additional benefits if a combination of injuries causes an employee to become totally disabled.
In some cases, the Second Injury Fund’s liability can be substantial. For example, in permanent total disability cases the Second Injury Fund may cover an employee’s lifetime weekly benefits when the permanent total disability results from a combination of the employee’s preexisting conditions and those caused by the current work-related injury. Also, in death benefit cases, if the employer failed to obtain workers’ compensation insurance, the Second Injury Fund may be responsible for death benefits payable to the employee’s dependents. Specifically, five types of benefits may be paid from the Fund, and one or more may be available to you depending on your unique circumstances:
- Disability benefits, including permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits and permanent total disability (PTD) benefits
- Death benefits
- Rehabilitation benefits
- Second job wage loss benefits
- Medical expenses for injured workers of uninsured employers
With the exception of physical rehabilitation benefits, no payments may be made from the Second Injury Fund unless a Claim for Compensation is filed against the Fund. Our attorneys can help you make sure that your claim is complete and accurate, thus increasing the likelihood that your claim will be processed without delay.
Seek Comprehensive, Efficient Representation
Claims against the Second Injury Fund must comply with special time limits set out in the law. Therefore, if you believe that you may be entitled to Second Injury Fund benefits, it is imperative to start building your claim as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys can navigate the potential complexities of multiple claims, and moreover, help you receive the maximum amount of benefits available to you. For an assessment of your potential claims, please contact Lear Werts LLP.
Most Popular Articles
Missouri LIRC Applications to Review Award on Final Hearing explained
Once you have completed the hearing process and have received an award, you have the right to file an application for review with the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling appeals to the Commission ...
Click to Read More...Business Consultants File Case Against International Services, Inc. (IPA) Claiming Unpaid Wages and Overtime Pay
Lear Werts LLP has filed a lawsuit against International Services, Inc. and its related entities which include International Profit Associates, IPA, ROI – North America, GPS USA, Integrated Business Analysis, and IBA USA. Plaintiffs are seeking unpaid wages and overtime resulting from the defendant's improper pay policies for its senior business consultants, which are also referred to as "SBCs".
Click to Read More...DirecTV Installer Wage & Hour Litigation
Lear Werts LLP and our co-counsel Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP filed a lawsuit on March 2, 2010 against DirecTV, Inc., DirecTV Home Services, Inc., and AeroSat USA, LLC seeking unpaid wages and overtime resulting from the defendants’ piece rate payment policies.
Click to Read More...Inventory Counting Employees Sue WIS International Over Wage & Hour Laws
If you are or were employed by WIS as an IA anywhere in the United States, other than California, you may be eligible to participate in this lawsuit. To find out more, please fill out the contact form above and we will be in touch with you about submitting the paperwork to join the lawsuit.
Click to Read More...State Farm Exception Hourly System Alleged to Violate State and Federal Laws
Lear Werts LLP and our co-counsel Stueve Siegel Hanson, LLP have filed a class action lawsuit for unpaid wages and overtime on behalf of telephone-dedicated employees who worked in any of State Farm’s Operations Centers nationwide.
Click to Read More...Most Recent Injury Articles
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Workers Compensation
The following frequently asked questions provide some basic information about workers' compensation claims. To learn more about your rights and responsibilities under Missouri law ...
Click to Read More...How to calculate certain Missouri workers' compensation benefits explained
Generally speaking, and as discussed on the Benefits Overview page, there are several types of benefits available. This page should help you to calculate the benefits that are available under the workers compensation law.
Click to Read More...Common foot and leg injuries covered by Missouri workers compensation law
Lear Werts LLP represents injured workers throughout Missouri who have suffered foot or leg injuries, including fractures, knee tendonitis and bursitis, and loss of limb.
Click to Read More...Common hand and arm injuries covered by Missouri workers compensation law
Attorneys at Lear Werts LLP represent employees in Columbia and throughout Missouri who have suffered hand and arm injuries in the workplace, including fractures, nerve damage, loss of limb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and repetitive strain injuries.
Click to Read More...Common neck and back injuries covered by Missouri workers compensation law
Lear Werts LLP has extensive experience building successful workers' compensation claims on behalf of injured employees, including injuries involving the neck and back. Neck and back injuries are among the most common workplace injuries ...
Click to Read More...Most Recent Employment Articles
Call 312-508-5838 to speak with a disability discrimination lawyer.
If you have been treated badly at your job (or at a potential job) because you are disabled, you may have been subjected to disability discrimination...
Click to Read More...Trash truck drivers and workers are frequently denied overtime compensation
In the garbage and sanitation industry it is common for employers to pay their drivers, helpers, and loaders based on an hourly wage but not pay them time-and-a-half for when they work more than 40 hours in a week. Additionally, many of these companies pay certain...
Click to Read More...Returning Service Members
As Reservists and National Guard return after leaving their home and jobs to protect our nation, they need to know that jobs will be available. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right Act (USERRA) provides special protection for returning service members...
Click to Read More...Retaliation
Provisions in state and federal employment and labor laws protect employees from employer retaliation in the following situations...
Click to Read More...Most Recent Litigation Articles
What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (often referred to as the "FRCA") is a federal consumer protection law that regulates the production and distribution of consumer reports. Despite its name, the FCRA does not apply solely to credit reports.
Click to Read More...Denied Insurance Claims
The Missouri vexatious refusal to pay statute is a consumer protection law that is designed to prohibit abusive insurance practices. The law applies to what are known as first-party insurance contracts. That is to say, the law only covers claims made against your own insurance.
Click to Read More...Injury
- > Missouri Workers Compensation FAQ
- > Calculating Missouri Workers Compensation Benefits
- > Common Foot and Leg Injuries Covered by MO Work Comp
- > Common Hand and Arm Injuries Covered by MO Work Comp
- > Work Related Neck and Back Injuries Under Work Comp
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Injury Overview
- > Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission Work Comp Decisions
- > Final Hearing in a Missouri workers’ compensation claim
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Temporary Hearings
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Claim for Compensation
- > First Report of Injury Under Missouri Work Comp Law
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Procedures Overview
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Second Injury Fund Benefits
- > Missouri Work Comp Death Benefits
- > Missouri Workers Comp Medical Benefits
Other Recent Articles
- > Missouri Workers Compensation FAQ
- > Calculating Missouri Workers Compensation Benefits
- > Common Foot and Leg Injuries Covered by MO Work Comp
- > Common Hand and Arm Injuries Covered by MO Work Comp
- > Work Related Neck and Back Injuries Under Work Comp
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Injury Overview
- > Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission Work Comp Decisions
- > Final Hearing in a Missouri workers’ compensation claim
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Temporary Hearings
- > Missouri Workers Compensation Claim for Compensation

















