As a Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyer, I recently became involved in a workers compensation case in which a client fell nearly 20 feet to the ground from some scaffolding. He was on the scaffolding while working as a dry wall finisher. While deposing his immediate employers, they are now trying to make a claim that there is a safety railing that goes across the scaffolding which they had instructed him to use prior to the fall. This St. Louis workers comp case has been on file for several years now and this is the first that we have heard about these allegations that our client failed to use his safety rails. The reason why this is important is because in 2005, Missouri legislature changed the Workers Comp Laws in Missouri. One of the things they changed is a rule that states that if an employee fails to follow established safety rules, their final compensation award can be reduced to 25% to 50%.  It is clear now that this is a tactic that the other side is trying to use to reduce the amount of money they will have to pay my client. This particular case, I think it is a bogus defense made up by individuals with an extreme profit motive to avoid paying the full amount my client is entitled to under the Missouri Workers Compensation Laws.

However, this brings up a larger issue. Giving this new law, workers need to be vigilant in obeying all safety rules established by their employers. Just to show the unfairness of the rule, if the employer violates one of their safety rules, there is no penalty against them, they can only be penalized if they violate a state statute, and however there are not many statutes applicable to safety procedures of employers. This is just another way that the Blunt administration was insistent on attacking the rights of the individuals. If you were hurt at work will be pursuing a workman's compensation claim, you need to speak with a St. Louis Lawyer immediately. Workers Compensation Carrier will be hiring a lawyer to try to minimize your benefits, and you need to level the playing field. Josh Myers is a St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney handling Workman's Comp cases all throughout Missouri and Illinois. If you have been hurt at work and need to speak with a lawyer, feel free to contact St. Louis personal injury attorney, Josh Myers. It's always free to discuss your case.

Additionally, if you would just like some free information on how Missouri's work comp system really works, order the new free book, The Ultimate Missouri Work Comp Book. Written by Josh Myers, it explains everything injured workers need to know.  I previously referenced the book in a prior blog posting about our press release regarding the fact that I had just published this Missouri Workers Compensation book.