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Your career path was clear. You knew the route, the destination, and the work it took to get there. But a sudden workplace injury can feel like a roadblock you never saw coming, leaving you stranded and unsure of which way to turn. The path forward is suddenly obscured by complicated insurance claims, medical jargon, and legal deadlines. You shouldn’t have to find your way through this alone.
A trusted Kansas City workplace accident lawyer can act as your guide, clearing the obstacles and charting a course toward the financial stability and peace of mind you need to get back on track.
At Walner Law, we understand the stress and confusion you’re experiencing. For more than 60 years, our family-run firm has stood beside injured workers, helping them hold the responsible parties accountable. We are proud to bring our legacy of determined advocacy to the hardworking people of Kansas City.
When you’re choosing a legal team to represent you, you need a firm with a proven history of standing up for its clients. Walner Law is bringing over half a century of experience and a record of significant results to the Kansas City community. We are committed to providing the same level of compassionate and dedicated service that has defined our firm since 1961.
Here’s how we make a difference for the people we represent:
We are not just opening an office in Kansas City; we are becoming part of the community. We are here to be your advocates, providing the same powerful representation that has helped thousands of families find justice and rebuild their lives.
After a work injury, many people assume their only option is workers’ compensation. While this is a critical resource, it may not be your only path to recovery. In Missouri, you could have two potential avenues for securing compensation, and understanding the difference is key to protecting your future.
The first is the Missouri Workers’ Compensation system. This is a type of insurance that most employers are required to carry. It is a “no-fault” system, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. It is designed to provide quick access to medical care and partial wage replacement.
The second is a personal injury lawsuit, also known as a third-party claim. This is a separate legal action you can take if your injury was caused by the negligence or carelessness of someone other than your employer or a direct co-worker. This type of claim can help you recover compensation for damages not covered by workers’ comp, such as pain and suffering.
A knowledgeable Kansas City workplace accident lawyer can evaluate your case to see if a third-party claim is a viable option.
The term “workplace accident” covers a wide range of incidents. Legally, it generally means any injury or illness that arises out of and in the course of your employment. This doesn’t mean you have to be at your primary job location, like an office or construction site.
For example, a workplace accident could be any of the following:
These examples show that an injury can happen in almost any job and under many different circumstances. The most important factor is the connection between your work duties and how the injury occurred.
Understanding which path to pursue is one of the most important steps after a work injury. While your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is your first line of defense, a third-party claim handled by a workplace accident lawyer can be crucial for a full financial recovery.
As mentioned, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. The benefits are defined by law and are generally limited to:
It’s important to remember that workers’ compensation does not provide money for your pain, suffering, or the emotional distress the injury has caused you and your family. This is where a third-party claim becomes essential.
While you generally cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury, you absolutely have the right to hold a negligent third party accountable. A third party is an individual or company, separate from your employer, whose carelessness contributed to your injury.
Here are some common examples of third-party liability:
Filing a third-party claim allows you to seek compensation for all of your losses, including the pain and suffering that workers’ compensation ignores. An experienced lawyer can investigate your accident to identify any and all responsible parties to help you secure the maximum possible compensation.
If a negligent third party was responsible for your injuries, a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover damages that go far beyond what workers’ compensation provides. The goal is to make you “whole” again financially by compensating you for all the ways the injury has impacted your life.
This compensation, often called “damages,” can include:
While no amount of money can erase what happened, securing full and fair compensation can provide the financial security your family needs to move forward and focus on healing.
It is critical to act quickly after a workplace accident. The state of Missouri has strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing legal claims. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation forever.
For most personal injury claims in Missouri, you have five years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, the deadline for filing a workers’ compensation claim is typically much shorter. The rules can be complex, and certain circumstances can change the deadline. This is why it is so important to speak with a workplace accident attorney in Kansas City as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
We’ve gathered some common questions that injured workers in Kansas City often ask.
In Missouri, most employers with five or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer fails to do so, you may have the right to sue them directly in civil court for your injuries, where you could potentially recover damages for pain and suffering.
No. Missouri law prohibits employers from retaliating against or firing an employee for exercising their rights under the workers’ compensation system. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated after a work injury, you may have a separate legal claim against your employer.
A denial is not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal a denied claim. The appeals process has strict procedures and deadlines, and having an attorney to guide you can be incredibly beneficial in presenting your case effectively to a judge.
Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” rule in personal injury cases. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your total compensation award would simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. In workers’ compensation, fault is generally not a factor unless the injury was caused by intoxication or intentional self-harm.
At Walner Law, we handle workplace injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you, and our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict.
Walner Law is here for the people of Kansas City. With a legacy of over $1 billion recovered for our clients, we have the experience and the resources to take on complex cases and win. Don’t face this challenge alone. Contact us today at (312) 410-8496 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
