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Workers’ compensation is a national benefit providing medical and wage compensation after an individual sustains on-the-job injuries. Each state determines its own workers’ compensation benefits, and therefore, each state’s laws may vary, affecting the amount of money you may be eligible to receive.
In Tupelo, MS, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help guide individuals through the sometimes complicated claims process and appeal unjust denials. If you’ve sustained on-the-job injuries and believe you’re entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out to the legal team at NST Law.
NST Law gives injured workers clear guidance and compassionate support through every step of the workers’ compensation process. Here’s why our community trusts our Tupelo workers’ compensation lawyers to advocate for them during some of the most challenging times of their lives:
Near Tupelo, Mississippi, a significant worker’s compensation case involved a man serving a 12-year prison sentence for manslaughter. In 2010, just 45 minutes outside of Tupelo, Lonnie Smith of Ripley, Mississippi, suffered injuries on the job after accidentally shocking himself on power lines while working for Tippah Electric Power Association.
Gulf Live reported that “A safety expert for Tippah testified the lines Smith allegedly grabbed were three feet, seven inches apart. The distance, the expert testified, would have made it difficult for Smith to accidentally touch both lines at the same time.” However, the Supreme Court ruled that Smith deserved worker’s compensation—despite his capital murder charges in a separate case later the same year.
Although coworkers attested to Smith’s odd behavior on the day of the incident, potentially because he was aware of imminent capture for his crimes, there was insufficient evidence to prove he grabbed the power lines on purpose in an attempt to commit suicide.
More recently, and closer to Tupelo, a former Verona police officer is waiting on a resolution to her worker’s compensation claim that has been going on for four years. After fighting a man for over ten minutes on a house call in 2017, Stephanie Moffett suffered from contusions, a concussion, cracked teeth, fibromyalgia, and depression. She accrued over $200,000 in medical bills, and the city has paid her only $13,881.41 in worker’s compensation to date.
Daily Journal reported, “‘They stopped paying in 2018,’ Moffett said. ‘There was no justified explanation with the final notice of payment.’ When she returned to work, she was on light duty as a School Resource Officer at Verona Elementary School. She proposed a settlement in the workers’ compensation case in early May and is waiting for a response.”
A similar case was upturned recently when a Texas appeals court found that a former Dallas Cowboys lineman, who received worker’s compensation benefits after sustaining a knee injury, was not a Texas resident at all—but a Mississippian. Alcus Fortenberry was staying in a hotel in Dallas at the time of the injury.
Law 360 reports, “the appellate panel was also unconvinced by arguments from Great Divide Insurance Co., which carries workers’ compensation benefits for the Texas Department of Insurance, that the claims should be tried in Austin because it works with a law firm in the city. ‘Because Fortenberry offered no prima facie proof that he resided in Dallas County for venue purposes on the date of his injury and because Great Divide failed to present prima facie proof it maintains a principal office in Travis County, neither party made the necessary venue showing,’ the panel wrote. ‘Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s judgment and remand to the trial court to conduct further proceedings on the issue of venue.’”
Fortenberry also didn’t have a compensable disability because of the injury, the court determined.
From manufacturing to health care, each work environment in Tupelo carries unique risks. Some put workers at risk of sudden accidents, while others carry a higher likelihood of causing injuries or illnesses to develop over time. We represent clients who’ve faced all types of harm in the workplace, including:
If your injury occurred as a result of your job duties, you may be eligible for full workers’ compensation benefits. This applies regardless of how your injury or illness developed, including situations where you share some of the fault. Our experienced workers’ comp lawyers can help you understand your eligibility and pursue the benefits you’re entitled to.
At NST Law, we fight to protect injured workers and ensure they receive the full benefits they deserve. Below are examples of successful workers’ compensation case results where our team secured meaningful compensation for clients facing serious, life-altering injuries.
See more case results on our verdicts and settlement page.
Tupelo’s workforce spans many industries, including manufacturing, health care, retail, construction, logistics, automotive, and service. Injuries can occur in any of these environments, especially in roles that involve physical labor, heavy equipment, or repetitive tasks. While any employer may be part of a workers’ compensation claim, some types of companies see higher claim volumes due to the demands of their employees’ work.
Common employers and industry sectors in the Tupelo area that frequently experience workers’ compensation claims include:
If your injury or illness resulted from your job, Mississippi law gives you the right to seek medical treatment and workers’ compensation benefits.
In Mississippi, the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission oversees workers’ compensation in two primary forms: medical and wage benefits. Individuals can file a claim for potential medical benefits, including coverage for prescriptions, medical devices, necessary services, and any other medical expenses required to make a full recovery from an on-the-job injury.
The MWCC categorizes wage benefits as coverage for either temporary or permanent disabilities. A temporary disability is an injury from which you can make a full recovery. In contrast, a permanent disability refers to an injury that, even when fully recovered, leaves the injured person with a permanent handicap.
If you’re injured on the job, you have two years until your claim expires if you haven’t received disability benefits by then. If you begin to receive workers’ compensation benefits, they’re limited to 450 weeks in Mississippi.
Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to alleviate the financial burden caused by a work-related injury. They can help you stay financially stable while you recover and cover the treatment you need to return to work safely. They may also address the needs that arise when an injury or illness leads to long-term limitations or results in death.
The exact benefits you’re entitled to depend on your unique situation. Common types of benefits available in Mississippi workers’ compensation claims include:
Unlike personal injury claims, workers’ comp claims don’t cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. However, if someone other than your employer caused you harm, our Tupelo work injury lawyers could help you seek these damages through a third-party injury lawsuit.
Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Law covers most employees injured on the job in Mississippi. Unless your employer voluntarily provides coverage, the law doesn’t protect employees who work for any of the following:
Independent contractors are also exempt.
A workers’ compensation claim is limited to 450 weeks in Mississippi. If an individual misses less than 14 days of work due to a job-related injury, workers’ compensation will pay for missed wages for each additional day after the first five days. If an injured worker misses more than 14 days of work due to a job-related injury, workers’ compensation will pay missed wages for the total period, including the first five days.
Wage benefits vary based on how much you typically earn and what type of disability you have. An individual can have a temporary or permanent disability. Permanent disability benefits vary. However, in the state of Mississippi, temporary disability covers two-thirds of your pay while you’re recovering from your sustained injuries.
Medical benefits are more concrete in their calculations. Typically, workers’ compensation insurance pays out medical bills and related expenses regardless of workdays missed. Workers’ comp settlements are usually not taxable, so you can keep a large portion of your benefits.
Strict time limits affect your right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim after a work-related injury in Tupelo. Missing these deadlines can cost you the benefits you need to stay afloat. Below are the reporting and filing deadlines you need to know and what they mean for your case.
You must report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Under Mississippi law, you have no more than 30 days to make your report.
If you fail to inform your employer within this deadline, the insurer may deny your claim. Letting your employer know right away also makes your claim easier to document, which strengthens your case for maximum medical and wage-loss benefits.
In many cases, your employer’s insurance company will begin paying workers’ compensation benefits soon after it learns of the injury and receives documentation. If it fails to do so, you must take the next step yourself.
Under MS Code § 71-3-35, Mississippi gives you two years from the date of the injury to bring a formal claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. This involves filing a Petition to Controvert. Failing to file within two years can permanently bar you from receiving benefits.
Some work injuries don’t happen suddenly. Conditions such as repetitive stress injuries, breathing problems, or illnesses caused by chemical exposure can develop slowly. In these situations, the two-year clock for filing a formal workers’ comp claim starts when you first realize that your condition is related to your job.
Many workers wait to report an injury because they hope it will improve on its own, do not realize the seriousness of the injury, or worry about how their employer will react. Whatever the reason, delays in taking action can create real problems for your claim, including:
We’re here to help if you’re not sure how much time you have to act or what your next steps should be. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Tupelo, MS, can review your situation and protect your right to benefits.
If you’ve sustained on-the-job injuries and believe you’re entitled to workers’ compensation, hiring a Tupelo workers’ compensation attorney can make a critical difference in claiming the benefits you deserve. With over 35 years of experience handling injury claims, the attorneys at NST Law are here to guide you through every step.
Regardless of where you stand with your current claim, our legal team provides compassionate support and expert advice to help you navigate this challenging time. We’re committed to helping you understand all your options for securing benefits. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Many clients have trusted NST Law during difficult moments and shared their positive experiences working with us:
We’ve helped many of our clients receive the Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits they deserve. For example, we represented an individual who suffered injuries while working as a billboard poster. We investigated his claim, hiring an expert engineer who helped determine that the employer failed to weld the catwalk properly. We litigated the case, ultimately mediating the third-party claim to help our client receive a $950,000 settlement, which aided in alleviating his injury-related financial burdens.
We also represented a 49-year-old man who suffered a traumatic brain injury while on the job. The workers’ compensation insurance company denied his claim, and the employer rejected the employee’s assertions that his psychological injuries were work-related. We represented the injured man in court and received a $561,916.90 judgment against the workers’ compensation insurance company.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
Many injured workers have trusted our workers’ compensation law firm in Tupelo to guide them through their claims. These testimonials offer a look at what clients value about working with our team:
You’re dealing with enough stress after a workplace injury. Leave the legal details to our Tupelo workers’ compensation lawyers while you focus on healing. NST Law is here to explain your options, build a strong claim on your behalf, and fight for the full benefits you’re entitled to.
We’re ready to put our 35+ years of experience to work for you. Contact us online or call 662-856-1000 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a compassionate attorney at our Tupelo office.
