The Missouri Bar
P.O. Box 119
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573/635-4128
Fax: 573/635-2811
Dear Dr. Comp:
I am fairly new to handling workers’ compensation cases. However, one thing that
I have noticed during my limited time in the Abiz is that the range of permanent
partial disability an injury is worth varies depending where in the state the
case is venued. Call me naive, but I thought that a mildly sprained ankle would
be worth relatively the same amount regardless of where the claim is heard. Can
you recommend a good way for me to determine how much my cases will be worth
when I am in a new venue? Naive in Missouri Dear Naive, You may be naive, but no one could call you unobservant. Although the
Division of Workers’ Compensation has made a lot of strides toward uniformity,
permanent partial disability ranges can vary somewhat depending on the location.
In that way, they are comparable to gas prices. You are probably going to pay
more for a gallon in Branson than you would in Perryville. That being said, I
would recommend striking up friendships with some of the more seasoned veterans
of the workers’ compensation world. (You will know them - they are the attorneys
that seem to have a constant stream of admirers lining the halls or pooling
around them in the attorney libraries.) Once acquaintances are established, you
can dip your bucket into their well of knowledge. Many of your colleagues
already engage in this practice - some dipping their bucket more frequently than
others. If you have some strange allergy to seasoned veterans, cannot find any,
or are in an immediate moment of need, do what we all do under those
circumstances - guess! Happy estimating. Dr. Comp
(Dr. Comp is not licensed to practice anything in any part of Missouri or in the
world.)
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