Helping Workers Through Tough Times With Workers’ Compensation

Last updated on March 5, 2026

Thousands of people every day get injured while at work. In many cases, injured workers eventually return to work after medical treatment. However, what happens if your employer refuses to provide the compensation you’re entitled to? What if they hire someone else for your job? Contact Tarry Law Firm, L.L.C., in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to protect your rights.

What Should I Do If I Get Hurt At Work?

As an employee, you have the right to medical care if you have an accident in the workplace or develop an occupational illness. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you protect your interests and ensure that you have what you need to get better and eventually return to work. If you were hurt at work, the following steps could be important:

• Seek whatever emergency medical care is important at the time.
• Report your work accident to your supervisor immediately.
• Go to a doctor for additional care and explain that your injuries are the result of a work accident.
• Complete your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

We know what is at stake after a work accident. Tarry Law Firm, L.L.C., and the rest of our team at the law firm will guide you through every step of the way, helping you from the initial stages of your claim to any appeals that may be necessary. Mr. Tarry is a lawyer dedicated to your interests, and he will employ all of his resources to help maximize your claim and walk you through the aftermath of your work accident.

Common Workplace Injuries We See In Southeast Missouri

Whether you work at a manufacturing plant in Cape Girardeau, a production facility in Jackson or a warehouse in Perryville, you face factory worker hazards that most people never see.

These are not accidents you should have avoided, but realities of industrial work. Therefore, you deserve compensation when you are hurt. We help workers dealing with:

• Machinery accidents and crush injuries from production lines, conveyor belts, saws and equipment malfunctions. These incidents can lead to broken bones, amputations and long-term disability.
• Repetitive stress injuries from assembly line work, including carpal tunnel and tendonitis, develop after years of doing the same motion.
• Slip-and-fall accidents on factory floors, loading docks, and wet or oily surfaces.
• Back and neck injuries caused by heavy lifting, improper lifting techniques and constant loading and unloading.
• Chemical exposure that leads to respiratory issues, skin burns or complications from toxic fumes.
• Burns from hot equipment, heated surfaces or chemicals used in production.
• Hearing loss from loud machinery and inadequate protection over time.
• Amputations caused by machinery accidents or safety guards that fail.

After years of heavy lifting at the warehouse or standing long shifts on the line, you should not have to fight alone when you get hurt.

Providing Injured Workers With Answers And Guidance

It is not easy to get the benefits you deserve after a work accident or the onset of an occupational illness. We can provide you with support and guidance as well as answer any questions you have, including the following:

Understanding Your Rights Under Missouri Workers’ Compensation Law

Here is the truth about your rights under the Missouri workers’ compensation law.

• You cannot be fired for filing a claim: Your employer cannot legally fire, demote, reduce your hours or harass you for filing a legitimate claim. We have helped workers who were wrongfully terminated after filing claims.
• You do not need to prove fault: Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Exceptions only involve intentional injuries or intoxication.
• Recent changes to Missouri law make some claims harder: Missouri changed its workers’ compensation laws about five-seven years ago. It is more difficult to recover benefits for pre-existing conditions aggravated by work. For example, if you had a prior back problem and heavy lifting made it worse, the insurance company may argue your job is not the primary cause.
• The 30-day reporting deadline is critical: You must report your injury to your supervisor or employer within 30 days. If you have questions about reporting, call NAPPHONE or fill out our online form for immediate help.
• You do not pay unless we win: If we do not recover money for you, you do not pay attorney fees.

Whether you are in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville or anywhere in Southeast Missouri, we are here to help injured workers get the benefits they deserve.

Types Of Workers’ Compensation Benefits In Missouri

Missouri law provides several types of workers’ compensation benefits designed to help.

• Medical benefits: All necessary medical treatment related to your work injury should be covered. In most cases, you must see a doctor selected by your employer or their insurance company.
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If your doctor says you cannot work at all during recovery, you may receive Temporary Total Disability benefits. TTD pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to state maximum limits. For example, if you earn $600 per week, you may receive around $400 per week.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you return to work in a light-duty role but earn less than before, Temporary Partial Disability benefits may apply. TPD helps cover part of the difference between your old wage and your reduced wage.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): If your injury results in permanent impairment but you can still work, you may qualify for a lump sum settlement through Permanent Partial Disability benefits. Missouri uses a schedule that assigns a set number of weeks of compensation to specific body parts.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): In severe cases where you will never be able to work again, Permanent Total Disability benefits may provide ongoing payments for life. In many cases, workers who qualify for PTD may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
• Death benefits: If a workplace injury leads to death, surviving dependents may be entitled to death benefits. These can include burial expenses up to $5,000 and ongoing weekly payments to a spouse or children.

Attorney Andrew Tarry has over 20 years of experience fighting for injured workers. He knows how to build strong cases and understands how insurance companies think. Call or text Andrew directly at NAPPHONE. We are available seven days a week, even on weekends.

Workers, Families And The Community

When a worker is injured, it affects the entire family. our attorneys, work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you need and deserve for your circumstances so you and your family do not continue to struggle. We will guide you every step of the way so you won’t have to guess what to do next. Services we provide include:

• Fighting for fair time loss compensation
• Working to see that you receive appropriate medical treatment
• Researching vocational retraining options
• Helping you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance
• Pursuing survivor benefits for families whose loved ones suffer fatal injuries

We understand southeastern Missouri industries and the struggles injured workers face. We have assisted injured workers with repetitive motion injuries, occupational diseases and traumatic, life-changing injuries. Our law firm is also ready to stand by you to protect you from harassment or unfair termination after you file a claim for workers’ compensation.

We Are Here To Help You Through

At Tarry Law Firm, L.L.C., our lawyers have been a strong shoulder for many workers to lean on. When we take your case, you can contact us day or night by calling 573-651-8644 or use our online form to schedule your free consultation.