Who Is Eligible for Missouri Workers' Compensation Survivor Benefits?
As workers' compensation lawyers in Springfield MO, we have become aware that sometimes people do not receive benefits they are entitled to under Missouri's laws because they are not aware that they are eligible for those benefits. We want to discuss the importance of listing your next of kin or who to contact in case of emergency in your employment personnel records.
According to Missouri workers' compensation laws, if a family member dies in a work related accident, the employer/insurer must pay as much as five thousand dollars for burial costs. Added to that, the surviving spouse or other dependents are eligible for two thirds of the victim's wages for a specific period of time.
When the Division of Workers' Compensation is informed of any worker's death; the process is set into motion. They will notify the family of the deceased about their rights to compensation under the law. However, they will only notify the surviving family if they are told by the employer that there are indeed eligible dependents. Employers are required by law to keep records for every employee. You have probably noticed that anytime you start a job, there is always the question of who to contact in case of emergency.
However, the Division of Workers' Compensation has reported that many Springfield MO and other MO employers are not keeping such records. When discovered, some of these negligent employers have been referred to the state attorney general's office, because not complying with this law is considered workers' compensation fraud.
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