If you’ve been injured on the job in Missouri, one of the first questions you probably have is: “How much money will I get from my workers’ compensation settlement?”
It’s a fair question. And an important one.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we help injured workers in Springfield and throughout Missouri calculate the full value of their work comp claims and make sure they don’t get short-changed by the insurance companies.
Let’s take a closer look at how your Missouri Workers’ Compensation settlement is calculated and why it’s so important to have an experienced attorney fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Formula in Missouri
Workers’ compensation in Missouri is supposed to cover three things:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages (Temporary Total Disability)
- A lump sum payment for permanent disability
When it comes to that final payout—known as Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)—the amount you receive depends on a simple formula:
Body Part Value (in weeks) × Disability Rating (%) × Your PPD Rate
Let’s look at what that means.
Step 1: Body Part Value (Chart Weeks)
The Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation has a chart that assigns a number of weeks to each body part.
For example:
- Back injuries are considered injuries to the “body as a whole” and are worth 400 weeks.
- Shoulder = 232 weeks
- Knee = 160 weeks
- Thumb = 45 weeks
- Index finger = 30 weeks
Step 2: Disability Rating
After your treatment is complete, the insurance company’s doctor will assign a disability rating to indicate how serious your injury is.
For example, if they say you have a 10% disability, that means they believe your injury has impaired 10% of the function of that body part.
Warning: Insurance doctors often assign very low ratings to save money.
That’s why we get our own independent medical opinion to make sure your rating reflects the true impact of your injury.
Step 3: Your Permanent Partial Disability Rate
This is usually two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
If you made $750/week before your injury, your Permanent Partial Disability rate would be about $500/week.
Putting It All Together – Sample Calculation
Let’s say:
- You injured your back (worth 400 weeks)
- Your doctor gives you a 20% disability rating
- Your PPD rate is $500/week
400 weeks × 20% = 80 weeks
80 weeks × $500 = $40,000
That means your expected settlement would be $40,000.
But if the insurance doctor only gives you a 5% rating, your award would drop to just $10,000. Even though your pain and limitations are much more severe.
Why You Need an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Springfield, MO
The workers’ compensation system is full of traps designed to pay you less than you deserve.
Insurance companies rely on low ratings, biased doctors, and confusing paperwork to cheat you out of benefits.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we fight back by:
- Getting a fair second opinion
- Challenging low disability ratings
- Negotiating or litigating your case to maximize your settlement
We’ve been helping injured Missouri workers for decades.
Don’t leave money on the table. Call us before you sign anything.
Injured at Work in Missouri? Call The Krebs Law Firm Today
If you’ve been hurt on the job in Springfield, MO, or anywhere in southern Missouri, don’t go it alone.
The Missouri workers’ compensation system is full of legal traps.
And insurance companies have experienced lawyers working against you.
Let us help you protect your rights and get every dollar you deserve.
The Krebs Law Firm—Experience. Dedication. Results.
Don’t leave your future in the hands of the insurance company. Get a legal team that fights for you.
Don’t try taking on the insurance companies alone. Call The Krebs Law Firm for a free consultation.
You need an experienced workers compensation attorney at your side to make sure you get what you deserve for your workplace injury.
Call The Krebs Law Firm Springfield office at (417) 883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
There is no upfront cost to hiring a Missouri Workers Compensation attorney for your claim.
If have a potential Missouri work comp case and want to make sure you maximize your Missouri Workers Compensation benefits for your workplace injury, then you should speak to an experienced Missouri Workers Compensation attorney sooner rather than later.
Utilize our years of expertise to get the compensation you deserve and let us help each step of the way.