If your workers’ comp settlement offer seems low, don’t sign it until you’ve spoken with the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann.
You were hurt at work. You’ve been dealing with medical appointments, missed paychecks, and the stress of not knowing what comes next. Then the insurance company finally puts a number on the table — and it feels like an insult.
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Why Does My Workers’ Comp Settlement Offer Seem Low?
That reaction is more common than you might think. The first offer in a Missouri workers’ compensation case often doesn’t reflect what a claim is actually worth. Understanding why can help you decide what to do next.
1. The Insurance Company Has Its Own Interests
Missouri workers’ compensation insurance carriers are not neutral parties. Their job is to resolve claims — and the lower the settlement, the better it is for them. Early offers are frequently calculated to close out a claim before the full picture of your injury is known.
That doesn’t mean every low offer is made in bad faith. But it does mean you shouldn’t assume the first number is the right number.
2. You May Not Have Reached MMI Yet
One of the most important factors in any Missouri workers’ comp settlement is whether you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which your treating doctor determines your condition has stabilized — you’re not expected to improve further with additional treatment.
Settling before you reach MMI can be a significant mistake. Until that point, it may be difficult to fully assess:
- The permanence of your injury
- Whether you’ll need future medical treatment
- The extent of any permanent disability rating
If you’ve received an offer and you’re still in treatment or haven’t been formally rated, the timing alone may explain why the number seems low.
3. Your Permanent Disability Rating Drives a Lot of the Value
In Missouri, permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are calculated based on a percentage rating assigned to your injury. That rating is applied to a number of weeks of benefits under a statutory schedule — and the math matters a great deal.
An insurance company’s IME doctor (Independent Medical Examination) may assign you a lower rating than you deserve. If you accepted a settlement based on that rating alone without getting a second opinion or consulting an attorney, you may have left significant compensation on the table.
Attorney James M. Hoffmann routinely sees cases where the initial rating — and the offer built around it — didn’t account for the full extent of a worker’s functional loss.
4. Future Medical Care Is Often Undervalued
A workers’ comp settlement in Missouri typically involves closing out the right to future medical treatment for the injury. That means whatever you agree to today needs to account for care you may need months or years from now — follow-up procedures, physical therapy, medication, or additional evaluation.
Insurance companies have actuarial tools to estimate future medical costs. Many injured workers don’t realize how significant that component of their claim can be.
What to Do If Your Offer Seems Low
You are not required to accept the first offer — or any offer — without understanding it. Before you sign anything:
- Make sure you’ve reached MMI and have a formal disability rating
- Get a copy of the IME report and understand what it says
- Confirm your average weekly wage was calculated correctly
- Ask whether future medical care was factored into the offer
Consulting with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney before accepting a settlement costs you nothing. Attorney James M. Hoffmann offers free consultations and has represented injured Missouri workers for more than 30 years. He can review the facts of your situation and help you understand whether the offer reflects what your claim may be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I negotiate a workers’ comp settlement in Missouri? Yes. A settlement offer is not final until you sign. You have the right to consult with an attorney, ask questions, and in many cases negotiate before accepting.
- What if I already accepted a settlement? In most cases, a signed settlement in Missouri is final and cannot be reopened. This is why it’s important to consult an attorney before signing — not after.
- How long do I have to decide? There is no single deadline that applies to all settlement offers, but Missouri workers’ comp has strict filing and appeal deadlines that can affect your rights. Don’t delay getting advice.
- Does it cost anything to talk to an attorney about my settlement? No. Attorney James M. Hoffmann offers free consultations. You pay nothing unless he recovers for you.
Talk to Attorney James M. Hoffmann Before You Sign
If your workers’ comp settlement offer seems low, don’t sign it until you’ve spoken with someone who can evaluate the full picture. Call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann for a free consultation.