If your claim has been denied—or you’re worried you may have missed a deadline—call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann.
If you’ve been injured on the job in Missouri and are worried you may have missed an important workers’ compensation deadline, you’re not alone. Many injured workers in St. Louis and throughout Missouri don’t realize how strict these timelines can be—until the insurance company raises the issue.
The good news? Missing a deadline does not always mean your case is over. Depending on the facts, you may still have options.
FREE CONSULTATION
First, What Are the Key Workers’ Comp Deadlines in Missouri?
There are two deadlines that matter most:
1. Reporting Your Injury (30 Days)
In Missouri, you are generally required to report your workplace injury to your employer within 30 days.
- This can be verbal or written
- Sooner is always better
- Delays can raise questions—but don’t automatically end your claim
2. Filing a Formal Claim
To formally protect your rights, you must file a Claim for Compensation with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation.
- In many cases, you have 2 years from the date of injury
- This may extend to 3 years if your employer failed to file a report of injury
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Insurance companies often use missed deadlines as a reason to deny benefits. But that doesn’t mean the denial is valid in every case.
Here’s what may happen:
- Your claim could be denied for late reporting or filing
- The insurer may argue your injury isn’t work-related
- You may be pressured to drop your claim
However, these arguments are not always the final word.
Do You Still Have Options After Missing a Deadline?
Yes—depending on your situation, you may still be able to pursue benefits.
Situations Where You May Still Have a Case:
You Didn’t Realize You Were Injured Right Away
Some injuries—like repetitive stress injuries or back problems—develop over time.
You may not have known:
- The injury was serious
- It was related to your job
Your Employer Knew About the Injury – If a supervisor witnessed the injury or you reported it informally, that may still count as notice.
The Employer Failed to File Required Paperwork – If your employer didn’t properly report your injury, it could extend your filing deadline.
You Were Misled or Discouraged – If you were told not to report the injury or that it “wasn’t a big deal,” that may affect how deadlines are evaluated.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you think you missed a deadline, take action quickly:
- Document everything (when the injury happened, who you told, and medical visits)
- Seek medical care if you haven’t already
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without understanding your rights
- Speak with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible
Small details can make a big difference in whether your claim can move forward.
Talk Directly With a St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If your claim has been denied—or you’re worried you may have missed a deadline—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, you’ll speak directly with an attorney who has been helping injured Missouri workers for over 30 years.