McDuffey Law Firm LLC: Personal Injury Attorney Lake of the Ozarks

Showing posts with label Personal Injury Attorney Lake of the Ozarks. Show all posts

Thursday, November 12, 2015

7 Things Everyone Should Know About Workers' Compensation

In today's day and age, workplace safety is considered a top priority. Every worker has the right to a safe workplace environment, and employers who fail to hold their workplace OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) strict standards may be subject to significant penalties and fines.

Despite these concentrated efforts to create safe workplace environments, however, work-related accidents still happen on an incredibly frequent basis. In these situations, most injured employees should have access to workers' compensation, a type of insurance that covers the medical bills, lost wages, and other financial challenges that result from an accident at work. Unfortunately, many injured workers find that access to workers' compensation is not granted automatically. In these situations, having a dedicated personal injury attorney on your side can be enormously beneficial.

Here are seven things everyone should know about workman's compensation.

#1. Workers' Compensation Coverage Is Not Automatic.

The vast majority of employers are required to purchase workers' compensation for their employees, but there are a few exceptions. Additionally, there are certain activities outside of your normal job description that may not qualify for workers' compensation coverage. Before you begin any new job, you should talk with your employer to make sure you fully understand what coverage you may (or may not) be able to receive in the event of an accident.

#2. Every Injury Should Be Reported.

If their injuries are minor or do not require immediate medical attention, employees sometimes choose not to report their accidents. However, we strongly encourage you to file an accident report for every injury - even if you do not intend to seek medical attention right away. If you end up needing medical help in the future, having detailed records of all of the preceding incidents may help your case.

#3. The Doctors And Hospital Staff Need To Know That You Were Injured At Work.

Often, the way the doctors fill out their paperwork can have a significant impact on the insurance coverage that will (or will not) be granted. In order for you to be eligible for workers' compensation, your doctor will have to check the box(es) that indicates you are being treated for a work-related injury. Be careful not to let this important detail slip through the cracks!

#4. Workers' Compensation May Be Granted Even If The Accident Was Your Fault.

Missouri is a no-fault workers' compensation state. This means that employers have a legal responsibility to create a safe environment for their employees - period. Even if you could technically be held liable for the accident, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

#5. Workers' Compensation May Not Be Granted If You Were Under The Influence.

The fact that you should never drink while on the clock should be common knowledge, but it still deserves mention. If you file a workers' compensation claim, some employers may require you to take a drug test. If the test reveals that you were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of your accident, you may be denied financial compensation.

#6. Your Case Must Be Filed Within The Statute Of Limitations.

The Statute of Limitations is a legal rule designating a specific time limit for plaintiffs to file their cases. The amount of time given varies by state and the type of personal injury case you are working with; in Missouri, the Statute of Limitations for workers' compensation claims is two years. If you wait longer than two years to file your claim, it may be considered invalid.

#7. A Preliminary Denial Does Not Mean You Won't Be Able To Get Compensation.

We believe that every injured worker deserves easy access to the financial compensation they need, but unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way. Both employers and insurance companies will be out hundreds or thousands of dollars if your workers' compensation case gets approved, and as a result, they may deny your claim the first time. If your initial claim gets denied, we recommend that you seek representation from an experienced Missouri workers' compensation attorney. Your lawyer can help you navigate the appeals process so that you may be able to get the financial compensation that you deserve.

In Need Of A Workman's Comp Attorney? Contact McDuffey Law Firm!

If you are struggling with a workers' compensation claim, please don't hesitate to reach out for the representation you need. The team at McDuffey Law Firm focuses solely on personal injury cases in central Missouri, and we would be honored to help you fight for your rights.

Because we understand that financial considerations are a major concern for our clients facing challenging workers' comp situations, we operate entirely on a contingency fee basis - we won't charge you anything unless we win your case.

Don't settle for less than you deserve. Contact McDuffey Law Firm today!

McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
Find us On Google Maps

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Connect with Tim McDuffey on LinkedIn

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

3 Things You Didn't Know About The Statute Of Limitations

The Statute Of Limitations is a legal rule designating a specific time limit for plaintiffs to file their cases. If they wait until after the Statute of Limitations has expired, it doesn't matter how strong their cases are - they will be considered invalid in the eyes of the law. The Statute of Limitations varies by each state, so it's important to understand how the local laws the apply to your specific situation. McDuffey Law Firm is here to help you understand Missouri's Statute of Limitations and how it may impact your case.

Some Crimes Are Exempt From The Statute Of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations applies to most situations, but there are a few types of cases that are actually exempt - specifically, certain types of criminal cases. There is no Statute of Limitations for manslaughter, fraud, kidnapping, treason, or war crimes. Individuals who have committed these types of criminal acts can always be charged for their crimes.

The Clock Doesn't Start Running When The Accident Occurs

Contrary to popular belief, the time clock for the Statute of Limitations does not start running when the accident occurs. In fact, the clock will not start running until the point when the injury is (or should have been) discovered. This is known as the "Discovery Of Harm" rule. If the point of discovery is significantly delayed, the delay must have occurred under reasonable circumstances.

The Statute Of Limitations Is Different For Different Types Of Cases

The Statute of Limitations is not a one-size-fits-all ruling; your time limit will differ depending on the type of personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks you are navigating. The general Statute of Limitations for a Missouri personal injury claim is five years. However, the Statute of Limitations for medical malpractice cases and workers' compensation claims are both two years. Your personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks will be able to advise you on how the Statute will apply to your specific case.

McDuffey Law Firm May Be Able To Help With Your Personal Injury Case
If you think you may have the grounds for a personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact our personal injury law firm in Osage Beach, MO. Our experienced and dedicated team would be honored to help guide you through the process, and we promise to fight for you to get the highest settlement possible. If you have questions about your case, contact McDuffey Law Firm to schedule your FREE consultation today.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Wait - Your Personal Injury Attorney Can Do THAT, Too?

When you hear the words "personal injury attorney," what do you think of?

Most people think of getting the money they need to pay for their injuries. While your attorney certainly can help with this aspect of your personal injury case, his services do not have to be this limited. At our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury law firm, we make it a point to serve our clients in every way we can. This week, we thought we would share with you some of the other ways we can help to make your legal experience easier.

We Will Communicate With Your Insurance Company.

Insurance companies are often quick to take your money, but very slow to return it to you when you have to file a claim. Their processes and procedures are frequently complex, involved, and difficult to understand. The team at McDuffey Law Firm will take over the communication with your insurance company and handle all the necessary negotiations with them so that you don't have to.

We Will Provide You With A Free Consultation.

Choosing which personal injury attorney in central Missouri you want to represent you is a big decision. We believe that our clients should be able to make this choice without having to deal with any unnecessary financial pressures. Consequently, we offer all of our prospective clients with a free initial consultation to let them learn how we can help with their cases.

We Can Help You Determine How Much Your Case Is Worth.

Before you can build a solid personal injury case, you have to know how much your case is worth. This information is vital in order to determine how much to ask for - and possibly whether or not it is even worth filing a personal injury claim in the first place. With the experience of many years and hundreds of personal injury cases behind us, our team will be able to help you realistically value your case so you can know how to move forward.

We Can Help You Get Financial Compensation For More Than Just Medical Bills.

Being able to afford all of the medical bills is certainly a huge concern most injured people have to face, but it isn't the only one. Depending on the severity of the injuries, some people also must cope with lost wages from an inability to work (and potential difficulty supporting their families as a result). We can help you get financial compensation for all of these associated challenges, too - not only your for your medical bills.

McDuffey Law Firm Is Here To Help
Because they have suffered an injury in some way, we firmly believe that our clients should be able to dedicate all of their energy towards recovering. In addition to earning the best possible settlement that we can for our clients, we promise to do everything in our power to lighten the load our clients face during these difficult times. If you have questions or would like more information about how our personal injury law firm in central Missouri can help you with your personal injury case, visit our website at www.McDuffeyLaw.com or call us at 573-302-7211.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Brain Injuries - Get The Legal Representation You Need!

Brain injuries are among the most serious forms of injuries than anyone can suffer. Because our brains control every single one of our bodies' functions, the repercussions from an injury to the brain can be incredibly serious. Brain injuries can be caused by a variety of different situations, but the consequences are the same: if you have suffered a brain injury due to someone else's negligence, it is critical that you seek quality legal representation for your personal injury.

Brain Injury Attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks

Even minor brain injuries can cause a great deal of duress for both the victims and their close family and friends. Individuals who have suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else's negligence could be eligible for financial compensation for many of the resulting repercussions, including:

Past and Future Medical Expenses
Emotional Distress
Lost Wages
Pain and Suffering

If you or someone you know is suffering from any of these unfortunate situations, contact our brain injury law firm in central Missouri immediately so we can begin working on your case.

We Would Be Honored To Represent You!

We realize that no amount of money can make up for a loss of brain function, but we hope to ease our clients' transition into this new chapter of their lives by providing them with the financial compensation they need to make the process easier.

If one of our clients has suffered a brain injury, we will closely with board-certified neurologists, rehabilitation experts, and forensic economists to determine the severity of the injury and accurately prove the appropriate financial compensation. We recognize that brain injuries are often incredibly tragic occurrences and we understand the unique challenges faced by our clients in this position. We take great pride in carefully handling each of our brain injury cases in order to ease our clients' burden.

Give us a call to schedule your free consultation!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

What Are Our Clients Saying About Us?

We serve a wide variety of different clients in several different types of personal injury cases at the Lake of the Ozarks, but one thing always remains the same - we strive to constantly deliver outstanding service. We are humbled by the opportunity to make a difference in our clients' lives, and we are exceedingly grateful to our clients who take the time to let us know how much they appreciate our services. Here is a sneak peek at some of the great things our clients have said about us.

Thanks for your assistance and cooperation on our case. I enjoyed our time together and especially appreciated the way you handled our relationship with me. I enjoyed learning from you and I especially appreciate you sharing about your faith and family.
Brad - St. Louis, MO
Medical Malpractice

I was referred to Tim by a friend. At first, I was hesitant to speak to an attorney. Once I sat down with Tim, he explained to me that I had three separate cases - one for workers' compensation, one against the person who had caused the accident, and an underinsured motorist claim against my own insurance policy. Tim got me a settlement against the lady who hit me and a settlement with my insurance. He also got me permanent total disability benefits on my workers' compensation case. I get a check every week from Work Comp and I think of Tim every time I receive it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate Tim at a 15.
Leray - Climax Springs, MO
Workers' Compensation & Personal Injury

Hiring Tim was the best decision we ever made. We initially went to an attorney in Kansas City who did nothing on our case. He told us we had a difficult case. The insurance company never made an offer before trial. Tim tried the case and we won. He was masterful in front of the jury. I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without him.
Vicky - Edwards, MO
Medical Malpractice

Tim, I wanted to thank you for being there for me. I will always remember you for what you have done for me and my family.
Lori - Camdenton, MO
Wrongful Death

Tim McDuffey, Personal Injury Attorney

I thought about handling my workers' compensation case on my own. I knew Tim from high school. Since the consultation was free, I sat down with him to discuss my case. I almost settled my case for $12,000. Instead, Tim helped me on my case. I got on Social Security Disability and, on top of that, received a $60,000 settlement on my workers' compensation case. It was amazing. Tim told me during the very first meeting what was going to happen, and it was amazing to watch him skillfully get it done over the course of the case.
Ky - Lake Ozark, MO
Workers' Compensation

I was in a head-on collision four years ago. I broke my right femur bone, shattered my left collarbone, had a collapsed lung, and broke bones and toes in my right foot. I was a mess. My mother-in-law contacted Tim McDuffey about taking on my case. When I met with Tim and his staff after I was out of the hospital, I felt safe and at home, like part of his family. He listened to my tears and he took on my case. He was also my disability advocate; within ten minutes of walking into a disability hearing, we walked away with Disability. I was very impressed. Tim did all my paperwork and gathered all the medical information. At the end when we settled for $1 million out of court, Tim kept track of all my bills and paid off all my medical loans first. I was very happy to know he had my best interests at heart. Tim, I could not thank you, Michelle, and your law firm enough for what you have done for me and my family. I know first-hand that if I ever need him, he will be the only attorney I would call. Thanks, Tim, for always treating me like a part of your family.
Elnora - Columbia, MO
Car Accident

We truly appreciate the opportunity to work with these and many other wonderful clients, and we are proud to have made a positive impact on their lives. If you find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, we hope you will keep McDuffey Law Firm in mind!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Memorial Day Events at the Lake

Memorial Day is almost here! People from all over the Midwest will be making their way to the Lake of the Ozarks to celebrate the official start to this year's summer season. Here are a few can't-miss events to keep in mind as you plan your festivities this weekend, courtesy of the team at our Lake of the Ozarks law firm.

Memorial Weekend Events

Gun Show at the Lake

If you have a gun fanatic in the family, you definitely won't want to miss out on the Gun Show. The Show will be held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the following times:

- Friday, May 22nd from 2:00 - 8:00 PM

- Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

- Sunday, May 24th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Show will feature a huge selection of guns, ammo, rifles, handguns, shotguns, magazines, scopes, knives, military surplus, and more.

23rd Annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100

If you've ever enjoyed the thrill of watching a high-speed race, this event is for you. The race will be held at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO all weekend long. For ticket prices and more information on the event, visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com.

Putting For Patriots

Memorial Day Weekend marks the culmination of this 3-week event that has been actively raising money for charities supporting wounded veterans, their families, and survivors of the fallen: Hope For The Warriors, Homes For Our Troops, and TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Jungle Golf, Pirate's Island, and Pirate's Cove miniature golf courses all over the country have teamed up to support this great event. What an awesome way to give back this Memorial Day!

Ozark Yacht Club's Parade Of Lights

Power boats and sailboats alike will be decked out with lights for the water parade on Saturday, May 23rd. The parade will begin at Ozark Yacht Club and travel along Bagnell Dam in front of Willmore Lodge to Beacon Point Condominiums before returning to Ozark Yacht Club along the south side of the Lake. The parade is designed to commemorate the U.S. men and women who have performed invaluable service for our country.

Have A Great Weekend, Everyone!

Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake is always highly anticipated and always promises a great time for everyone involved. Remember to give thanks to the brave U.S. soldiers who dedicate their lives to serving our beautiful country! It is through their efforts that we are able to enjoy a great weekend at the Lake.

If the worst should ever happen and you find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, remember that the McDuffey Law Firm will be here for you.