PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY IN MISSOURI WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CASE
How do you calculate how much money your Missouri workers’ compensation case is worth?
Answer: In a Missouri workers’ compensation case, how much money that you get for your work injury is calculated by multiplying the percentage disability of your body part injured by your wage rate. For example:
An injured worker suffered a back injury that settles for 10% permanent partial disability (PPD) of the body as a whole (BAW); the wage rate is $200. Therefore, 10% x 400 weeks of the body as whole (BAW) = 40 weeks of wages x $200 (Rate) = $8,000.
The above is one example of how a workers’ compensation case turns into money. There are many examples of cases involving different body parts injured and higher or lower wage rates. The higher the wage rate, the more money a case is worth. Conversely, the lower the wage rate, the lower the value of the case.
Each body part is worth a number of weeks of wages based on a body chart, which was created by the Missouri legislature. For example, the back, chest, and neck are part of the body as a whole (BAW) which is worth a total of 400 weeks of wages. See the complete Missouri body chart which is called the schedule of losses form WC-110: https://labor.mo.gov/media/pdf/wc-110-ai and Missouri law Section RSMo 287.190 https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=287.190&bid=15066&hl=287.190%u2044
Wage rate is calculated based on 2/3 (Two-thirds) of average weekly wage. In our example above, if an injured worker earned gross wages of $300 per week, then $300 x 2/3 = $200 Rate
By Steven Edelman, Attorney
If you’ve been injured at work, then please immediately contact our law firm, and one of our skilled attorneys will be happy to discuss your rights and benefits under workers’ compensation law. Call us for a free consultation: 314-631-6777
Steven Edelman, Attorney