Category: Blog

 

Anyone who  has sustained a physical or mental injury due to negligence or harmful acts can file a personal injury claim. The extent of the injuries doesn’t matter, and even minor injuries can qualify you. Common accidents that result in personal injury claims include car accidents, medical malpractice, slip-and-falls, and wrongful death.

There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer to take your case, especially if you think it’ll head to court. However, a common misconception about hiring a lawyer is that it’s expensive. The reality is that most personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis and will only collect payment if you win your case.

The Benefits of a Contingency Fee Basis

While some lawyers that handle personal injury claims will try to charge you retainers or outrageous hourly fees, honest and trustworthy personal injury lawyers will waive such fees. This is because cases can take a while, and they don’t want you worrying about excess fees on top of medical bills and other costs that you can’t afford.

Instead, a reliable personal injury lawyer will only charge a contingency fee at the end of your case. This means that the law firm will deduct a certain amount from your winning payout after the work is done and your settlement is awarded.

Common Personal Injury Lawyer Collection Rates

Each personal injury law firm sets their own percentage rate that they’ll collect. It is usually determined by how severe your injury is and if there are any outstanding factors about the case. In general, personal injury lawyers receive about 33% of final settlements as compensation for the dedicated legal services they put into helping win personal injury cases. However, that is not the case for all firms, but it will still leave plenty for you to cover expenses and get back on your feet after a personal injury.

Dependable Personal Injury Lawyers in Missouri

If you’re filing a personal injury claim in Missouri, contact the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau.

At Lanzotti & Rau, we operate on a contingency fee basis and won’t take any fees unless we win your case. That way, you get the maximum benefits you deserve right away.

If you want to learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we fight to receive compensation for your personal injury, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

 

Accidents on the job can be a scary situation, especially if you end up injured. Workers’ compensation can help you cover medical bills or other expenses while you get back on your feet. However, there may be certain instances where you don’t qualify for workers’ comp benefits in the state of Missouri.

Here is what Missouri workers’ compensation doesn’t cover.

Employer Exceptions to Missouri Workers’ Compensation

Generally, most employers in Missouri are required by law to have workers’ comp insurance for their employees. This includes businesses and contractors. There are some exceptions, though.

Companies with less than five employees aren’t required to purchase workers’ comp coverage. Sole proprietors and partners are also not covered. The Workers’ Compensation Act in Missouri also excludes certain industries, including farm workers, real estate agencies, and commercial motor-carriers.

All of these exemptions can elect to purchase workmans comp coverage, but don’t assume your company has such insurance if the above conditions apply to your job.

Employee Exceptions to Missouri Workers’ Compensation

Even if your company does provide workmans comp insurance, you may still be ineligible depending on how and when your injury occurred.

At least 50% of the injury must be work-related. This means injuries that occurred outside of work don’t qualify, even if they are exacerbated by your job. You’re also not able to receive benefits if the injury was self-inflicted or caused by drugs or intoxication.

Safety measures are important, too. If you deliberately ignored safety rules or didn’t use proper equipment, you may not receive workers’ comp. To get benefits, it must have been an accident that caused brand-new work-related injuries.

Getting You the Missouri Workers Compensation Benefits You Deserve

Workers’ comp claims are a confusing legal process to navigate alone. One missing document may lead to your claim being denied, and there are hundreds of legal loopholes you may fall through on your own.

If you’ve been injured on the job in Missouri, don’t try to file a claim yourself. Instead, contact the experts at Lanzotti & Rau to help you build and win your case.

Our expert team of Missouri workers compensation attorneys is ready to help you pursue legal action to receive benefits for your work-related injury. To learn more about our workers’ compensation legal services or how we handle our cases, call 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

 

If you are medically unable to work, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a tremendous help. The monthly SSDI payments can ensure you and your loved ones are taken care of while you focus on your health. However, getting approved for SSDI payments isn’t an automatic process. Here are some ways to expedite the approval process and  how long you can expect your SSDI claim to take.

The Social Security Disability Claims Process

You begin your SSDI claims process by filling out an online disability report and application for benefits. You will then be assigned a case worker and must complete an hour-long interview to go over your paperwork. You’ll also have to collect all of your medical records and submit them to your case worker to review.

Once your records have been reviewed, you’ll receive a decision. While your claim could be approved the first time, don’t be surprised if it’s initially denied. Most claims aren’t immediately approved since SSDI is such a complicated process.

The Importance of a Social Security Disability Lawyer

To get ahead of a potential (and likely) SSDI claim denial, consult with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer to get the following questions answered and more.

• How long does an SSDI claim approval take?

You can expect to receive a decision three to five months after you first file your claim. However, that timeframe could vary depending on how long it takes to receive your medical records and other evidence.

• How can I speed up the SSDI process?

There are a few ways to speed up the process to receive your benefits as soon as possible. While the SSDI application and disability report can be filed in-person, submitting them online gets them in your representative’s hands quicker. Submitting medical records as soon as you have them also saves time.

• What if my SSDI claim gets denied?

If your claim is denied, consider hiring a Social Security Disability lLawyer to help you appeal the decision. A Social Security Disability lawyer will know the ins and outs of this complicated process and will ensure you have all the information needed to get your claim appealed and approved.

Experienced Missouri Social Security Disability Lawyers

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau are prepared to help you navigate the SSDI claims process to ensure you receive claim approval. If you want to learn more about our Social Security Disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a consultation.

 

Accidents involving semi-trucks or 18-wheelers are some of the most dangerous wrecks. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you should consider legal action to receive the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer to handle your case.

Trust Your Truck Accident Lawyer to:

• Thoroughly Collect Evidence

You need to gather as much information about the accident as possible to ensure you get maximum benefits. A truck accident lawyer will know exactly what to look for and will collect strong evidence to build your case. Police reports, footage of the crash, and expert testimonies are key pieces of information that your lawyer will know how to access. Your truck accident lawyer will also keep track of your medical expenses so they know how much to settle for.

• Expertly Determine Fault

Knowing who’s at fault in a truck accident will determine who is responsible for the damages. Liability is a complex issue, and there’s often more parties involved than just the drivers. The truck company, manufacturer, shipping company, and even government entities could, technically, be at fault for your truck accident. A truck accident lawyer will be able to argue what exactly went wrong and who to hold responsible for your truck accident-related pain and suffering.

• Professionally Argue Your Case

While you know you may not be at fault, the truck driver’s insurance company will work hard to prove you were. Nobody wants to say they were being negligent, so your truck accident lawyer must prove you were driving safely and the truck driver was not. Negligence for personal injury cases also requires that you prove you suffered losses or damages, including property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering and mental anguish. A truck accident lawyer will be able to analyze the evidence and prove you went through loss or damages to receive the payment you deserve.

Turn to Our Expert Missouri Truck Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, hire the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau to handle your case. Our team has years of experience representing victims of truck accidents and will aggressively pursue legal action to receive compensation for your injury. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our truck accident cases, call us at 573-335-9300 to schedule a consultation today.

 

 

Automobile accidents can result in significant damage, but they’re even more devastating if an 18-wheeler is involved. That is because commercial trucks are much more powerful than an average vehicle and have an increased chance of causing fatalities. While there are many questions that must be answered following a commercial truck accident, determining who is responsible for the damages should be at the top of the list.

Who Is Responsible for Damages in a Commercial Truck Accident?

In most truck accidents, whoever is found to be at fault is the responsible party. However, Missouri law states that in collisions, every negligent action is compared to determine who is at fault. If it’s found the truck driver was negligent and caused the accident, then they’ll be the ones responsible for your compensation.

With commercial truck accidents, however, there are more parties involved than just the drivers:

• Trucking companies can be responsible if they improperly trained the driver or didn’t follow other requirements.
• Truck manufacturers can also cause negligence if the truck was made with faulty parts or has improper equipment.

With so many powerful parties involved and with so much money at stake, achieving a successful commercial truck accident claim or lawsuit will require experienced legal counsel.

The Difficulty of Winning Commercial Truck Accident Damages on Your Own

Major trucking companies will often hire a special team of investigators who are only there to protect the truck driver and the company. Instead of making sure whoever was injured is okay, they’re more concerned about saving their bottom line. Even if your injuries are severe, their insurance companies will try to get you less than you deserve. Therefore, it is important to have a lawyer on your side who knows the ins and outs of truck accidents.

If you want a legal team who is ready to fight for your rights, choose the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau.

Missouri Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your truck accident injury. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our commercial truck accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a consultation.

 

If you’ve been injured on the job, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation. These life-saving payments can help put you and your family at ease both financially and emotionally while you recover. However, workers’ comp isn’t just given to you. A successful workers’ compensation claim requires the legal assistance of experienced workmans comp lawyers.

Reasons to Hire a Workmans Comp Lawyer

Here are some signs that you need to hire a workmans comp lawyer for your case.

1. Your Employer Denies Your Claim and/or Retaliates

    

   If a work-related injury goes unreported but worsens over time, your employer may dispute it and say your injury happened elsewhere. Similarly, some employers may try to retaliate against you for filing a claim by demoting or firing you. Both acts are serious and require legal action as soon as possible.
   
   

2. Your Claim Is Delayed

    

   A work-related injury should be reported right away to make the process move as fast as possible. However, insurance providers or employers may drag their feet as long as possible to reduce your payment. Reporting an injury should only take about 30 days. Any longer than that, and you should consult with a workers’ comp lawyer.
   
   

3. Your Settlement Doesn’t Cover Everything

    

   The amount of workers’ comp you receive depends on your disability status and is meant to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Employers and insurance companies can dispute your status and potentially only cover you for part of what you deserve. You shouldn’t settle for anything less than maximum coverage, and an attorney on your side will help you fight for your full payment.
   
   

4. You Plan to or Currently Receive Social Security Benefits

    

   Government benefits help in the short-term, but they can reduce your workers’ comp amount. A workmans comp lawyer will know how to reduce your claim’s impact on SSI benefits and offset this loss.
   
   

5. Your Initial Claim Was Denied

Many workers’ comp claims get denied the first time for several reasons. If your claim is denied, it must go through a long and complicated appeals process which involves a mountain of paperwork. An experienced workmans comp lawyer is key to winning your appeal and getting your due benefits.

Missouri’s Experienced Workmans Comp Lawyers

The workers’ comp lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau are ready to pursue legal action on your behalf so you can receive compensation for your on-the-job injury. If you want to learn more about our workers’ compensation legal services or how we handle our cases, schedule a free consultation by calling 573-335-9300.

 

Invisible disabilities can impact a person’s mental, physical, or neurological condition, but they are not obvious to see from the outside. If a hidden disability prevents you from working or disqualifies you from holding employment, then you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Below are some of the most common hidden disabilities for which a Social Security Disability lawyer can help you receive benefits.

Common Hidden Disabilities

Autoimmune Disorders

Our immune system is supposed to keep us healthy, but in some cases, our body can’t tell what is and isn’t supposed to be there. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs thinking they’re a foreign body. These diseases cause flare-ups of pain and disrupt your daily life in significant ways. Some common autoimmune disorders include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Celiac disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Lupus

Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions affect a person’s behavior, sometimes to the point where it gets in the way of everyday life. These disorders affect cognitive function, making it hard to make decisions, concentrate, or remember. Many people live silently with mental conditions in fear of rejection from employers or friends. Several hidden, yet serious mental health conditions include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Dissociative disorders

Chronic Pain Disorders

Chronic pain can quickly wear someone out, fatiguing them until they can barely get out of bed and making it incredibly difficult to focus and work. These disorders can combine with other illnesses, increasing their severity. Many people suffer with chronic pain disorders such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic tension headaches
• Complex regional pain syndrome

Neurological Disorders

The brain is one of the most important organs. When it’s affected by an illness, it can affect virtually any other part of the body. Neurological disorders can completely incapacitate a person, complicating their mood, concentration and basic functions. Some of these disorders include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Cerebral palsy
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Brain tumors

If you are suffering from one of the above hidden disabilities, an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can help you file a claim to receive compensation for your ailment.

Missouri Social Security Disability Lawyers

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau will pursue legal action to receive compensation for your SSI Disability insurance claim. If you want to learn more about our Social Security Disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

 

The repercussions of a car accident can last long after the moment of impact. If you’ve suffered any damages or an injury, it’s important to know the statute of limitations so you can file your car accident claim on time. However, each state has a different statute of limitations on car accident claims. Here is how long you have to file a car accident claim in the state of Missouri.

Missouri’s Car Accident Claim Statute of Limitations

In Missouri, you have five years from the date of your car accident to take legal action, which is considerably more time than the national average of two years. This gives you longer to collect evidence, recover from any injuries, and consider your legal options. Just because you have more time, however, doesn’t mean you should wait. In fact, timing your car accident claim is a delicate process that a car accident attorney can help you navigate. Whenever you decide to take legal action, hire a car accident lawyer who understands the ins and outs of car accident claims.

Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

When filing a claim, many people think contacting a lawyer is an unnecessary step that adds on extra time and fees. However, car accident lawyers can actually speed up the process and get you awarded more compensation. Insurance companies won’t want to give you the benefits you deserve, and their legal team will work hard to keep your case unresolved. They’ll try to poke holes in your claim to lessen the amount you’re entitled to and reduce your claim.

An experienced car accident attorney will know how to fight against these companies and strengthen your case from day one. They’ll keep track of all your paperwork to ensure your claim is airtight and gets you the maximum amount of benefits possible.

Your Missouri Car Accident Claim Experts

If you’ve been injured in a Missouri car accident in the last five years, turn to the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our team is ready to fight so you can receive compensation for your car accident injury. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

 

The Social Security Blue Book is an online resource listing all the physical and mental health ailments that automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability (SSD) payments. Here is a breakdown of the Blue Book and some of the criteria for qualifying for SSD.

Common SSD-Qualifying Impairments

Some of the most common impairments recognized as automatically qualifying by Social Security Disability include:

1. Respiratory Illness

   Chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a few of the conditions that qualify you for SSD benefits.

2. Cardiovascular Illnesses

   Congenital heart disease, defects such as arrhythmias, and heart failure pose a major health threat.

3. Sense and Speech Issues

   Social Security recognizes impaired hearing, sight, or speech as a qualification for Social Security Disability payments.

4. Digestive System Issues

   Bowel and liver disease can cause several other major health issues affecting your ability to work.

5. Musculoskeletal Issues

   Chronic joint pain, spinal disorders, and amputation have an impact on your everyday life that may automatically qualify you for SSD benefits.

There are several other automatically qualifying categories beyond these common impairments, including skin disorders, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and more.

The Benefits of Hiring Social Security Disability Lawyers

Each Social Security Disability case is different. While the above impairments may automatically qualify you for disability benefits, there’s a chance your claim could still be denied due to other criteria. Filing a Social Security Disability claim is a complicated process. Even the tiniest mistake could force you to appeal your claim. Therefore, you’ll want an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer to help you navigate the SSD claims process if you have a medical condition that leaves you unable to work.

Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers in Missouri

To ensure you’re getting your maximum benefits as soon as possible, you’ll want Social Security Disability lawyers on your side who know the ins and outs of SSD claims and benefits.

At Lanzotti & Rau, we are here to help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your SSD insurance claim. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

 

Part of your paycheck every month goes toward Social Security benefits you can collect once you retire. However, if you are injured or have a medical condition that prevents you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. While SSD is one of the most beneficial programs for those who can no longer work, the monetary benefits differ depending on your specific case. Here is a breakdown of how much the average disabled worker receives in Social Security benefits.

Types of Social Security Benefits

While retirees are the main recipient of Social Security checks, disabled workers and their survivors can also receive Social Security benefits. In 2022, about 14% of Social Security recipients were from Social Security disability insurance and another 12% were disabled workers. Their monthly payouts were slightly lower than the national average at $1,228.87 for insurance and $1,361.88 for disabled workers.

Effects on Average Social Security Disability Benefits

An average of $1,300 a month may seem like a modest sum for disabled workers and their loved ones who must pay for cost-of-living expenses as well as mounting medical bills.

There are several factors that play into the amount of SSD benefits you can receive.

For one, there has been an increase in SSD claims in recent years as retirees reach their disability-prone years. With more people qualifying for and claiming Social Security benefits, there are fewer funds to go around.

As a result, the Social Security Disability claims process has become more stringent.

Need Assistance Filing a Social Security Disability Claim?

Filing a Social Security Disability claim entitles you to a monthly payment and medical coverage if you’re unable to work due to a medical condition. However, qualifying for these benefits is a long legal process that involves lots of red tape and a high level of complexity. If you’re looking to file an SSD claim in Missouri, you’re going to want the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau on your side.

Missouri’s Trusted Social Security Benefit Lawyers

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau will help you pursue legal action for your Social Security Disability insurance claim to collect the benefits you deserve.

To learn more about our Social Security Disability legal services and how we handle our cases, schedule a free consultation by calling us at 573-335-9300.