Lifting injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in Missouri.
A single heavy lift, a repeated motion over a shift, or an awkward twist while carrying a load can cause a herniated disc, a torn rotator cuff, a hernia, or a serious back or shoulder strain. If this happened to you at work, the steps you take in the first days and weeks can affect your workers’ compensation claim.
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Are lifting injuries covered by workers’ compensation in Missouri?
In most cases, yes. Missouri workers’ compensation often covers injuries that arise out of and in the course of employment, including injuries from lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling on the job. Coverage may apply whether the injury happened in a single moment or developed over time from repeated lifting.
Lifting injuries can be denied or disputed more often than you might expect, frequently because the insurer questions whether the injury is truly work-related or claims it stems from a pre-existing condition. That makes early documentation important.
Every case is different, and whether benefits apply depends on the facts.
What steps protect your claim after a lifting injury?
1. Report the injury to your employer promptly. Missouri has reporting deadlines, and waiting can give an insurer a reason to question your claim. Report it in writing if you can, and keep a copy.
2. Get medical treatment and follow restrictions. Tell the treating provider exactly how the injury happened — that you were lifting at work — and describe your symptoms clearly. If you’re given work restrictions, follow them and keep the paperwork.
3. Write down what happened while it’s fresh. Note the date, time, what you were lifting, how much it weighed, who was nearby, and what you felt. Details fade quickly.
4. Keep records of everything. Save medical bills, mileage to appointments, restriction notes, and any communication with your employer or the insurer.
5. Be careful what you say to the insurer. Adjusters may ask questions designed to tie your injury to something other than work. Stick to the facts and avoid guessing.
What benefits may be available?
Depending on the facts of your case, Missouri workers’ compensation may provide medical treatment for the injury, wage benefits while you’re unable to work or are on restricted duty, and benefits tied to any permanent effects once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). The value of a claim often depends on factors like your wage rate, the severity of the injury, your MMI rating, and any future medical needs.
We can’t promise a specific outcome — results depend on the facts — but understanding what’s on the table helps you make informed decisions.
Common reasons lifting injury claims get denied
- The insurer argues the injury is a pre-existing condition rather than a new work injury
- A gap between the injury and reporting or treatment
- Disputes over whether the lifting actually happened at work
- Claims that the injury isn’t serious enough to warrant benefits
If your claim has been denied, you often have the right to appeal, but deadlines apply. The sooner you understand your options, the better.
How direct attorney access helps
When you call our office, you work directly with Attorney James M. Hoffmann, who has spent 30+ years representing injured Missouri workers and has collected more than $100,000,000 for clients over that time. James oversees each case personally — you won’t be handed off to a call center or a rotating cast of associates.
For injured workers in St. Louis and across Missouri who are dealing with a denied claim, employer pressure, or confusion about the process, direct access can make a stressful situation clearer.