A workers’ compensation case is a legal proceeding. The decisions you make regarding your workers’ compensation case may impact you for the rest of your life. Workers’ compensation was originally designed to be a simple no-fault benefit system. Many workers’ compensation cases are still handled routinely without problems. However, the law has been changed many times over the years, and each change makes cases more complicated. Issues involving Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and Second Injury Fund claims also complicate many cases. While you are not required by law to have a lawyer, you may need a lawyer. Most employers and insurance companies are required by law to have a lawyer present at all docket settings before the Division of Workers’ Compensation, so in most cases you will have to speak with the workers’ compensation insurance lawyer at one or more times before your case is concluded.

Please keep in mind that neither the Administrative Law Judge assigned to your case nor any employee of the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation can give you legal advice or act as your lawyer or adviser.