Most employers in Missouri and Kansas must carry insurance for employee injuries. A workplace accident can cause a lasting physical injury. However, it might not stop a person from working fully. In these cases, the injured worker may qualify for permanent partial disability benefits. These payments pay workers for the lasting loss of function in a specific body part or the whole body.
How Missouri calculates disability payments
The state uses a set formula to decide how much an injured worker can receive. This math relies on a schedule. The schedule assigns a set number of weeks of pay to different body parts. Several factors determine the final benefit amount:
- The affected body part: State law gives higher base values to certain areas, such as the spine or an arm, compared to a single finger.
- The impairment rating: A doctor assigns a percentage. This number shows exactly how much function the worker lost in that specific area.
- The worker’s average weekly wage: The benefit rate is usually two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly pay. State caps apply to this amount.
Multiply the assigned weeks by the impairment percentage and the pay rate to find the total payout. This math makes sure the benefit matches the severity of the physical loss.
Reaching maximum medical improvement
Doctors cannot assign an impairment rating right away. The employee must first reach maximum medical improvement. This stage happens when the treating doctor decides the injury has healed as much as it ever will. At this point, more treatment will likely not change the condition.
Once a worker reaches this stage, the doctor checks any lasting physical limits. Joint stiffness, less range of motion or chronic pain might be permanent. If so, the doctor issues the rating that drives the disability math. Workers might also receive permanent medical restrictions. These limit the types of lifting, bending or repeated motions they can perform safely.
Resolving a permanent impairment claim
Proving the extent of a permanent disability means gathering detailed medical records and doctor testimony. Disputes often happen about the exact percentage of impairment. For example, one doctor might assign a lower rating, while a second opinion shows a greater loss of function.
Workers can challenge the first rating by submitting their own medical records. A fair review helps ensure the final settlement reflects the physical loss. The rating directly controls the payment amount. Seeking independent legal and medical help may assist workers facing lifelong physical limits.