Missouri Workers' Compensation Law: Key Provisions and Employer Obligations

Core Features of Missouri Workers' Compensation Law

Missouri requires most employers to provide workers' compensation insurance that covers medical expenses, wage loss, and disability benefits for employees injured on the job. Coverage applies to full‑time, part‑time, and seasonal workers, but independent contractors are excluded unless they are deemed employees under state criteria.

Reporting and Claim Process

Injured workers must report the injury to their employer within 30 days. The employer then files a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). Failure to file within the statutory deadline can lead to penalties and loss of the employer's insurance exemption.

Benefits Provided

Missouri workers' compensation benefits include:

• Medical treatment paid in full by the insurer.
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) at 66⅔% of the employee's average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) calculated using a statutory schedule for specific body parts.
• Vocational rehabilitation when the employee cannot return to their previous job.

Employer Responsibilities and Penalties

Employers must maintain a valid policy, post the workers' compensation notice in a conspicuous location, and keep accurate injury records. Non‑compliance can result in civil fines, criminal charges for fraudulent claims, and the loss of the right to contest benefits.

Appeals and Dispute Resolution

If an employee or insurer disputes a claim, the case is first heard by the Workers' Compensation Commission. Parties may request a hearing, and decisions can be appealed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, then to the state Supreme Court if necessary.

Comparative Overview of Benefit Limits