If you’ve been hurt on the job in Southwest Missouri, you’re probably dealing with pain, medical bills, and missed paychecks.
What you may not fully understand yet is how Missouri’s workers compensation system works—or what benefits you’re legally entitled to receive.
At the Krebs Law Firm in Springfield, Missouri, we help injured workers protect their rights and fight back when insurance companies try to shortchange them.
To help you get a better understanding of how the system works, let’s break down the three major types of Missouri workers compensation benefits: Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), and Permanent Total Disability (PTD).
Knowing these terms—and how to fight for what you deserve—can make all the difference in your recovery and financial future.
What is Temporary Total Disability (TTD)?
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is the benefit you receive when your injury prevents you from working temporarily.
If you’re recovering from surgery or undergoing physical therapy and can’t work during that time, you should be getting Temporary Total Disability benefits.
Under Missouri Workers Compensation law:
- You are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, tax-free.
- This amount is subject to a state-set maximum.
- You will not receive payment for the first three calendar days unless your time off exceeds 14 days, in which case you’ll be reimbursed for those initial days.
For Example:
If you earned $750 per week before your injury, your Temporary Total Disability check would be about $500/week while you’re off work—assuming you’re under the maximum cap.
Insurance companies often delay or underpay Temporary Total Disability, or cut it off too soon.
If you’ve stopped receiving checks and your doctor still says you can’t return to work, call a qualified Missouri workers’ compensation attorney right away.
What is Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)?
Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)—meaning your condition is stable and won’t significantly improve—you may still have some lasting disability. That’s where Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) comes in.
Permanent Partial Disability is a lump-sum payment designed to compensate you for the permanent effects of your injury, even if you can still work in some capacity.
The amount of Permanent Partial Disability you receive is based on:
- The body part injured (Missouri has a “meat chart” that assigns a value in weeks to each body part).
- The percentage of disability assigned by your doctor.
- Your average weekly wage.
For Example:
If your wrist (worth 175 weeks) is rated at 10% disabled, you would receive compensation equal to 17.5 weeks of pay at the Permanent Partial Disability rate.
The insurance company’s doctor often gives a low disability rating.
That’s why you need your own medical expert—and an experienced Missouri workers compensation attorney who knows how to negotiate or take your case to trial to get you a fair Permanent Partial Disability settlement.
What is Permanent Total Disability (PTD)?
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) is for workers who can no longer perform any job in the open labor market—not just their previous job. This is a much higher bar to meet than unemployment or even Social Security Disability.
Permanent Total Disability benefits include:
- Weekly lifetime payments at the Temporary Total Disability rate.
- In some cases, a large settlement or buyout may be available.
To qualify for Permanent Total Disability in Missouri, you’ll likely need:
- A vocational expert to explain how your limitations prevent any work.
- A medical expert to back up your restrictions.
- A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer to present your case persuasively.
At the Krebs Law Firm, we’ve successfully tried many Permanent Total Disability cases. These are complicated and high-stakes claims.
If you’re permanently disabled and unable to work, you need an attorney with the experience to win in court—not just settle quickly.
What Benefits Are You Entitled to in a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Case?
If you’re injured at work in Missouri, you are generally entitled to three core benefits:
- Medical Treatment
- Paid for by the employer or their insurance company.
- You must go to the doctor they choose, unless you get permission or pay out of pocket.
- Lost Wages (Temporary Total Disability)
- Two-thirds of your wages while you’re unable to work.
- Kicks in after the third missed day, unless you’re out for more than 14 days, then the first three are paid.
- Disability Compensation (Permanent Partial Disability or Permanent Total Disability)
- A lump sum or lifetime payments depending on the severity and permanence of your injury.
If you’re not receiving all three—or if the insurance company is pushing you to settle quickly—you may be leaving money on the table.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Cheat You
Workers’ compensation insurance companies are not on your side. They often:
- Send you to doctors who downplay your injuries
- Delay payments
- Offer lowball settlement offers
- Deny claims altogether
You don’t have to accept this.
We help you level the playing field. At the Krebs Law Firm, we’ll:
- Gather medical evidence and expert opinions
- Negotiate for the full value of your benefits
- Take your case to trial if necessary
We don’t let the insurance company push our clients around. You focus on healing—we’ll fight for your rights.
Why Hire a Springfield MO Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
You might be wondering: “Do I really need a lawyer if I’m getting my benefits?”
Here’s the truth:
- You don’t know if you’re being paid fairly unless someone explains the system to you.
- You may be entitled to more than you’re being offered—especially when it comes to permanent disability ratings.
- A skilled attorney can maximize your settlement and make sure your medical care continues when needed.
Best of all? You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
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.