Can Your Employer Make You Continue Working While on Workers’ Comp in Missouri?

Understand how workers’ compensation works in the state of Missouri.

With some minor exceptions, Missouri workers’ compensation law provides coverage for all workers injured on the job while working within Missouri. The Workers’ Compensation Division of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations administers Missouri workers’ compensation law. The most important thing you can do is talk to a Workers’ Compensation attorney. Call Northland Injury Law at 816-400-4878.

Can Your Employer Make You Continue Working While on Workers’ Comp?

If the authorized treating doctor certifies that you are unable to work, or places you on temporary restrictions that make it impossible to work in the open labor market, you will receive, tax free, two-thirds of your average weekly gross wage for the time you are unable to work. This is called “temporary total disability,” or TTD. If an unauthorized doctor certifies you are unable to work, you may or may not receive TTD. If you are unable to work, you will not be paid for the first three regularly scheduled workdays after your injury, the so-called “waiting period.” If you remain off work for two weeks, the three-day waiting period will then be paid.

This rule has many complicated exceptions. One example is if a doctor places you on light duty. Your employer may or may not have work available within your light duty restrictions. If they do not have light duty work available, you may be entitled to temporary total disability benefits. If you can work while being treated for your injury but make less money due to fewer hours or lower pay, you will receive “temporary partial disability,” a lesser amount than TTD. If the employer fires you for misconduct committed after the injury, you may not be entitled to any TTD. You may also lose some of your temporary total disability benefits as a penalty if you fail a drug screen or violate a safety policy. You cannot collect TTD for any time you collect unemployment benefits. If you have any questions about whether you are entitled to TTD or TPD benefits, or subject to a penalty, consult a work comp lawyer.

Talk to a Work Comp Lawyer

A Missouri attorney experienced in workers’ compensation can be an invaluable asset to your case, especially if you were seriously injured and cannot go back to work. You should strongly consider talking to a worker’s comp attorney if you need to appeal a denial of your claim and/or your injuries are severe or complex. For a more comprehensive list of all the questions you might have about workers’ compensation, and for a free consultation, please call (816)-400-4878.

If you have further questions about your case, do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone, through the contact form, or even with the live chat option listed on our site!