The Role of Medical Evidence in a Workers’ Compensation Case

Workers’ compensation is an invaluable resource for employees injured on the job. Workers’ compensation in Missouri provides nearly 67% of an injured employee’s standard wages as well as their medical care costs, and disability coverage when necessary, including temporary total disability. Temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, and permanent total disability. It also provides funeral costs and income benefits to surviving family members after a workplace fatality. However, workers’ compensation may deny a valid claim if the injury victim lacks adequate medical evidence during the claim process. Medical evidence plays a crucial role in a successful workers’ compensation claim in Missouri.

What Medical Evidence Do I Need for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Medical evidence showing the type of injury, the physical limitations the injury imposes, and the injury victim’s prognosis for recovery is a crucial component of a workers’ compensation claim in St. Louis. The medical evidence must also confirm that the injury occurred at the workplace. Going directly from the site of the accident to the hospital provides the best medical evidence to support a claim that the accident happened on the job, but eyewitnesses and other evidence can still support the claim if an injury victim delayed medical care.

The most important medical evidence in most workers’ compensation claims includes the following:

• A medical report detailing the injury, the doctor’s recommended treatment plan, and a prognosis for recovery
• Hospital records and bills with dates showing that you received care for the injury
• Reports from specialists in the type of trauma you experienced such as an orthopedic surgeon, burn specialist, or neurologist, depending on the type of injury
• Medical records such as MRI results, X-rays, lab results, or scans
• Estimated costs for future treatment such as rehabilitation or occupational therapy

It’s important to save all records, bills, and other documents detailing your medical care and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury as medical evidence in your workers’ compensation case.

How Does Medical Evidence Impact My Missouri Workers’ Compensation Case?

A successful workers’ compensation claim relies on clear, concise medical evidence to support your case by showing that the injury is a workplace injury, that it impacts your ability to work in your previous role or at all, and that it requires medical treatment to reach the maximum medical improvement. Medical evidence helps determine an injured worker’s eligibility for compensation, assesses the extent and severity of the injury and its impact on abilities, and shows what treatments have already occurred and what necessary treatment lies ahead. Without adequate medical evidence, workers’ compensation will not approve a claim. It is critical to a successful claim to have clear evidence supporting your case. Workers’ compensation has medical experts on staff to evaluate the evidence an injury victim submits to determine what benefits they receive for their medical care, disability benefits, and lost wages.

An experienced St. Louis injury attorney helps compile evidence for a successful claim including medical evidence and proof of your typical income so you receive the maximum compensation available to you.

Contact The Floyd Law Firm, P.C. online for a free consultation today.