Missouri Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026
Understand written notice, employer-arranged medical care, temporary benefits, Claim for Compensation deadlines, hearings, and official Division help.
Check coverage and compensability
Missouri generally requires workers’ compensation insurance when an employer has five or more employees. Construction employers that erect, demolish, alter, or repair improvements generally need coverage with one or more employees. Farm labor, domestic servants, certain occasional household labor, and other listed categories can be exempt, while smaller employers may elect coverage.
For injuries after August 28, 2005, the accident must generally be the prevailing factor causing both the medical condition and disability, and it must arise out of and in the course of employment. Federal systems cover railroad, postal, and maritime workers.
Report the injury immediately and in writing
The Division advises immediate notice to the employer or supervisor. Failure to report within 30 days may jeopardize benefits. Written notice should state the date, time and place, nature of the injury, and the injured person’s name and address. Keep a copy and delivery record.
Reporting to the employer is different from filing a formal Claim for Compensation with the Division. After notice, the employer should arrange necessary treatment and injury reporting. A worker can call the Division at 800-775-2667 to verify that the injury was reported.
Preserve from day one
- Written notice and proof of delivery
- Names of witnesses and supervisors
- Work restrictions and appointment records
- Pay records used for AWW
- Light-duty offers and actual earnings
The employer generally arranges authorized medical care
Missouri § 287.140 requires the employer to provide medical, surgical, hospital, nursing, ambulance, medicine, and related treatment reasonably required to cure and relieve the effects of the injury. The employer generally has the right to select the treating provider. A worker who independently chooses unauthorized care may become responsible for its cost unless an exception applies.
Seek emergency help when needed, notify the employer promptly, and ask which provider is authorized. Keep restrictions, referrals, bills, mileage records, and communications. A dispute about treatment, causation, or authorization may require Division procedures rather than self-directing care without documenting the issue.
Temporary, permanent, medical, and death benefits differ
TTD is generally two-thirds of AWW, with the injury-date maximum and $40 minimum. TPD is two-thirds of eligible wage loss for no more than 100 weeks. The first three disability days are generally unpaid unless disability lasts more than 14 consecutive days.
Permanent partial disability uses the scheduled weeks in § 287.190, the disability percentage, and a lower maximum rate than temporary total disability. Permanent total disability can provide lifetime weekly payments. Survivor and burial benefits use separate dependency and statutory rules. Use the Missouri benefits chart for a structured comparison and the TTD/TPD calculator for a transparent temporary estimate.
File a Claim for Compensation within the limitation period
An injured worker who has not been properly compensated may file the official Claim for Compensation with the Division. Filing begins a contested case before an administrative law judge; an employer’s Report of Injury does not substitute for the worker’s claim.
The Division states the general deadline is two years after the injury or death, or the last payment made on account of it. If the employer does not timely file a Report of Injury, the period can be three years. Occupational disease, death, payment-history, and other facts can affect analysis, so do not wait for the last day.
Disputes proceed through the Division and Commission
Disputes may concern accident, prevailing factor, notice, coverage, medical authorization, AWW, disability, work ability, termination of temporary benefits, permanency, or settlement. The Division offers information and dispute-resolution resources, but its specialists cannot give legal advice.
An administrative law judge can issue awards after hearing. Appeals generally proceed to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission, and the Division’s injured-worker materials state a 20-day appeal period. Calendar any order date immediately and consult the current instructions because missing an appeal deadline can end review rights.
Is reporting the injury the same as filing a claim?
No. Notice informs the employer; a Claim for Compensation initiates a contested Division case.
Can I choose any doctor?
The employer generally selects and authorizes treatment. Unauthorized care can create payment risk, subject to statutory exceptions and disputes.
When are the first three days paid?
They become payable when the employee is unable to work for more than 14 consecutive days.
Does unemployment affect TTD?
Missouri § 287.170 disqualifies TTD during a period in which the claimant applies for and receives unemployment compensation.
Official Missouri sources
- Report Your Injury.
- File a Claim.
- Injured Workers hub.
- RSMo § 287.140: medical treatment.
- RSMo § 287.430: limitation period.
Page last reviewed: August 28, 2026. Educational information, not legal advice.