Many employees are required to perform physically strenuous work on their jobs, putting them at risk for injury.
Such workers are prone to injuries and may have to seek medical treatment and take time off work to recuperate from the injury. The Missouri workers’ compensation system provides benefits to workers who are injured in the scope of their work. Injured workers are entitled to medical benefits and wage loss benefits under the workers’ compensation system.
Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Missouri workers compensation system is pretty straightforward and provides benefits irrespective of the cause of the injury as long as the injury is work-related. However, some injuries may not be covered under the system even if they occur at the workplace. Such injuries include ones that may not be specific to the job and even the general public could be equally susceptible to. These types of injuries fall outside the legal definition of workplace injury.
The Complications of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one such injury which may not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, because many people from varied backgrounds and work situations are at equal risk. Plantar fasciitis is a foot injury, which commonly occurs in people who have to stand for long periods at work. It is equally common among the general public, because many people have to stand for a long time for various reasons. In order to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker will need to prove that the work performed puts him or her at a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis compared to the risk faced by an average person.
Proving Work-Related Plantar Fasciitis
In order to prove that you are at a higher risk for plantar fasciitis, you will need to present specific facts. For example, you will need to prove that your job requires you to walk or stand for a far longer time than any average person would and this puts you at a higher risk of injury. Apart from standing for a long time, there are other reasons that may contribute to this condition. Age, obesity, and health conditions such as diabetes can lead to this condition. In order to qualify for benefits, you will need to prove that the injury occurred in the course and scope of employment.
Claiming Workers Comp
Receiving benefits for injuries such as plantar fasciitis can be difficult. Consult a competent Missouri workers’ compensation attorney from The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to learn more about your legal rights.
