With the help of a lawyer, you can understand your legal rights and ensure that you do not accidentally collect benefits to which you are not entitled.
Since many people don’t think about workers’ comp until they’re injured on the job, there is sometimes some confusion about the role of workers’ comp, especially when compared to unemployment.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of unemployment and workers’ comp, and whether or not you can get benefits from both at the same time.
You Usually Can’t Get Both
If you are injured on the job, you will be eligible to file for workers’ compensation, which will compensate you while you cannot work, and help you cover your medical bills and other costs.
Getting workers’ compensation means that you are too injured to work or attend job training, but it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your job. In fact, your employer is legally required to provide you your old job or help you find a new position in their organization with lighter duties suited to your injury/disability, if possible.
This means that you cannot file unemployment and also get workers’ compensation in St. Louis. Unemployment is intended to support you while you look for a new job. Since you likely will not be looking for a new job – or will be unable to work – you can’t file for unemployment.
You May Be Penalized for Filing for Both
In Missouri, you are “disqualified” from receiving “temporary total disability” during any time in which you “apply for and receive” unemployment compensation.
In other words, if you file unemployment for a period of time when you also are receiving temporary total disability payments, you will be required to pay back the temporary total disability benefits. You may also be subjected to additional fees and penalties.
In Some Cases, You Can Get Unemployment After Workers’ Comp Runs Out
If you are unable to perform in your previous job and your new employer has no position to offer with lighter duties, you may lose your job.
If your workers’ comp benefits have run out, you are fully entitled to apply for unemployment at this time, since you will be actively seeking work and will no longer be getting workers’ comp payments.
Navigating Disability, Workers’ Comp, and Unemployment!
With so many different systems, including workers’ compensation, disability, unemployment, and more, it may be hard to understand how you can get the money you need to keep yourself afloat after a work injury.
A St. Louis work injury attorney can help. With the help of a lawyer, you can understand your legal rights and ensure that you do not accidentally collect benefits to which you are not entitled. Find a St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney now to get the help you need after a serious injury at your workplace.