The law contains a formula for determining your average wage, which usually involves computing the average gross wages you earned over the 13 weeks prior to the accident. The amount that you will receive for your permanent injury depends on the extent of your disability. Your disability may be evaluated by doctors or other experts. There are formulas in the workers' compensation statute to determine the amount of permanent partial disability awards. The amount of the settlement will vary depending upon several factors, including the disability ratings from the doctors, your average weekly wage and the date of your accident.
Doctors often disagree regarding the percentage of permanent partial disability in any given case.
The amount of your permanent partial disability, if any, probably cannot be determined until you have completed your medical treatment. Therefore, if you develop a disease or illness which is directly caused by your employment, you may file a claim for benefits under the law. In Missouri you can be paid for scarring or other disfigurement, but only if the disfigurement is to your head, neck, arms or hands. The disfigurement payment is determined by the administrative law judge or legal advisor at the Division of Workers' Compensation and is in addition to all other benefits due. There are limits in the law regarding the amount you can receive for disfigurement.