Before you pay another medical bill out of pocket, talk directly with Attorney James M. Hoffmann.
If you’ve settled your Missouri workers’ compensation claim and you’re still in pain, still seeing a doctor, or worried about a future surgery, you may be wondering whether you can still get medical treatment paid for. The answer depends on the type of settlement you signed — and getting it wrong can cost you.
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The Short Answer: It Depends on How You Settled
In Missouri, whether you can still get medical treatment after settling comes down to one key question: Did your settlement leave future medical care open, or did it close it out?
Most Missouri workers’ comp claims resolve in one of two ways, and the difference matters enormously for your ongoing care. Understanding which path your case took — or which path you’re being offered — is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and your finances.
Settlements That Close Future Medical Care
The most common type of settlement is a compromise lump-sum settlement. In exchange for a one-time payment, the injured worker often agrees to close out the claim — including the right to future medical treatment related to the injury.
If you signed this kind of settlement, the insurance company is generally no longer responsible for paying for treatment connected to your work injury. That can come as a shock when symptoms flare up months or years later, or when a doctor recommends a procedure you assumed would be covered.
This is why the amount of a settlement should account for what your future care may realistically cost. Factors that often affect that calculation include your medical rating, the likelihood of future surgery or therapy, and whether your condition is expected to worsen over time. Every case is different, and results depend on the facts.
Settlements That Leave Medical Care Open
In some cases, a settlement can be structured to keep future medical treatment open for the work-related injury. When medical care is left open, the insurer may remain responsible for reasonable and necessary treatment connected to the original injury, even after the rest of the claim is resolved.
Whether this option is available — and whether it makes sense for your situation — depends heavily on the specifics of your injury, your medical evidence, and how negotiations unfold. An attorney who handles Missouri workers’ comp cases can help you understand what may be possible before you sign anything.
“I Already Settled — Is It Too Late?”
If you’ve already signed a settlement and you’re now facing new medical needs, your options may be limited, but it’s worth having someone review the actual terms of your agreement. The language in these documents matters. What you were told verbally and what the paperwork actually says are not always the same thing.
A review of your settlement documents can clarify whether any avenue for treatment remains, whether something was overlooked, or whether your future medical was, in fact, left open. The sooner you have it looked at, the better.
What to Do Before You Sign Any Settlement
If you haven’t settled yet, a few steps may help protect your access to care:
- Understand exactly what you’re giving up. Ask whether future medical is being closed or left open, and get the answer in writing.
- Consider your long-term medical picture. Think beyond today’s symptoms — future surgery, therapy, medication, and follow-up care all carry costs.
- Don’t rely on verbal assurances. The settlement document controls, not what an adjuster told you over the phone.
- Have it reviewed before signing. Once you sign, your options often narrow significantly.
Talk Directly With Attorney James M. Hoffmann
For more than 30 years, the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has represented injured Missouri workers — and has collected over $100,000,000 for clients. When you call, you work directly with James, not a corporate intake line.
If you’ve settled your claim and still need treatment, or you’re being asked to settle and aren’t sure what you’d be giving up, get clear answers before you make a decision you can’t undo.