Legal Advice Blog: Legal Advice, Case Insights, & Local Law Information

If you've been in an accident in the Parkville, MO or larger Kansas City metro area and are thinking about what to do after an accident, there are some important mistakes to avoid. Chief among them is failing to get a lawyer quickly: having a lawyer will protect you from making some of these other mistakes and greatly increase the chances of getting the full value of your claim. What to Do After an Accident: Mistakes to Avoid Delaying the Doctor If you haven't gone to the doctor yet, go right away. The longer the gap between the accident and your first medical evaluation, the easier you make it for the insurer to question causation and the extent of your injuries. Soft-tissue damage and concussion symptoms can sometimes take hours or days to manifest, so it's always wise to just get checked out right away after a crash. Keep records of every visit, all imaging reports, and any notes you get restricting you from work. You'll need those later as proof of damages. Talking to the Adjuster Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer is not required and is always a mistake. That recording becomes a permanent transcript that can be used to against you. Insurance adjusters are very good at manipulating conversations so they get you to say things they can use to throw a higher share of fault onto you or minimize your injuries. Signing Anything Don't sign a broad medical authorization or accept an early check without talking it all over with your attorney, first. A general release can cut off all chance for a later claim if you discover your injuries and losses are worse than you thought. And an unrestricted medical authorization lets the insurer mine through years of unrelated medical records, looking for anything they can find to blame a "preexisting condition" for your injuries or the extent of them. Waiting Out the Calendar Missouri allows you five years to bring a lawsuit in a crash like this, but Kansas only gives you two. If your accident was in Kansas City, it all depends on which side of the line you're on. If your claim is against any kind of government entity, like the city, you have even less time. And whether you have five years or two, every day evidence degrades or disappears, and witness memories get foggier. Don't put off making that call to an attorney. Not Talking With an Attorney Many people worry that having a lawyer will mean they don't get their full claim. Lawyers in this field normally work on a contingency basis, meaning they don't take a fee unless they win for you. Plus, research shows that personal injury claims brought by a lawyer win more money for the client, even after the attorney's fees are removed, than claims brought without a lawyer's help. Call us today at Spooner & Perkins at 816-572-6324 to set up a free consultation on your case. We've been serving the Kansas City metro area for decades and offer real help when you need it most.

Before you hire a lawyer, you a should always confirm the lawyer is licensed, works on the kind of case you have, will explain their fees in writing, and will take your calls. Those four checks prevent most of the trouble that some people can get into when they make too hurried a choice among Missouri's lawyers. Confirm License and Public Records The Supreme Court of Missouri keeps the official roll of who is permitted to practice law in our state. The Official Missouri Directory of Lawyers, updated daily, lists every attorney in good standing. Check that to make sure a lawyer you're considering is qualified. However, bear in mind that "good standing" is not the same thing as having a clean discipline file. The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel investigates complaints against a lawyer, and you can always ask that office whether a lawyer has a record of public discipline. A past complaint that the office closed without taking action is not proof of misconduct, but a public order is. Match the Lawyer to the Problem Ask what share of the lawyer's work is the sort of work you need. An injury claim, a workers' compensation claim, a criminal charge, and a divorce all involve different types of law, different agencies, and different calendars. A lawyer who spends most days in one of those systems will already know the filing deadlines and the local customs of the courthouse that will hear your case. When you speak with the law firm, ask about their success rate in actions like yours, too. Put the Fee in Writing Missouri law forbids a lawyer from charging an unreasonable fee, and this rule lists all the factors that test reasonableness: Time and labor Difficulty of the case Lawyer's skill Customary fee in your area for similar cases Amount involved Time limits Lawyer's experience The basis of the fee and the expenses you will owe must be communicated to you before or within a reasonable time after the the lawyer starts to represent you, and if the lawyer works on a contingency fee (which is common in personal injury), the fee must be in writing. What you sign needs to state the percentage that will be charged if the case settles, if it goes to trial, and if it goes to appeal; which expenses will come out of your recovery if you win; and whether those expenses come out before or after the percentage is calculated. Someone Who Communicates You're going to do a lot with this person, and they'll have access to your medical records, insurance letters, and personal details. It's important that there be some trust, that you feel comfortable talking to them, and that you understand how communication will go and what to expect. Ask how quickly calls and mail are generally returned from the office, who covers the file when the lawyer is in trial, and the basic system of communication. Call us today at Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law to talk through your personal injury or workers' compensation claim. We serve the entire Kansas City metro area from our offices in Parkville, MO.

A vibrant evening view of Kansas City with Union Station illuminated in green and the skyline in the background If you've been hurt in an accident in the Kansas City metropolitan area, it can matter whether your claim is governed by Missouri vs Kansas law. It's always important to speak with an attorney who is local to our area and who has familiarity with both. Missouri vs Kansas Law in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area When the crash occurs on the Missouri side of the metro area, Missouri statutes and court decisions set the deadlines, the way fault gets decided, and how insurance is held accountable. When it happens on the Kansas side, Kansas statutes take over instead. Here's some things to know: Statute of Limitations The statute of limitations is the window within which you must file your lawsuit or you lose the right to bring a claim at all. In Missouri, the general deadline for most personal injury claims is five years from the date of the injury. In Kansas, the deadline for ordinary negligence claims is two years from the date of injury. That shorter time limit often means that victims need to make decisions about legal action while they're recovering and dealing with bills, which makes it especially important to have a lawyer early on in the process. Negligence Missouri has pure comparative negligence, which means a person can still recover damages even if they are 99% responsible: the final award simply gets reduced by their percentage of fault. Kansas uses a modified comparative negligence rule, so if the injured person's share of fault reaches 50% or more, they can't recover anything at all. Below that 50% threshold, their award would also be reduced proportionally to their fault. Insurance Requirements Both states require drivers to carry liability insurance with the same basic minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. However, Kansas also requires Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays for medical expenses and some lost wages right away, regardless of who caused the crash. Missouri does not require PIP, and injured people there will usually need to rely on their health insurance, optional MedPay coverage, or the at-fault driver's liability policy once fault is established. These insurance differences definitely influence cash flow and leverage during settlement talks. In Kansas, the PIP benefits can cover initial costs while liability is still being sorted out. In Missouri, the injured person may need to use their own health coverage or pay out of pocket until the other driver's insurer accepts responsibility or a court decides the percentages. That gap can pressure you to accept an early offer that does not fully account for long-term needs. A lawyer can help you explore all the options to hold out until you get a fair settlement. If an accident has left you dealing with injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next, call us at Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law in Parkville, MO now for help anywhere in the metro area. We have decades of experience helping victims in Kansas City, on both sides of the state lines.

When you suffer a personal injury while at work here in Missouri, the sooner you report the work injury the better your chances of getting your full workers' compensation benefits. State law sets deadlines that every injured worker should understand, and if you're having issues, it's important to talk to an attorney sooner rather than later. How to Report a Work Injury in Missouri It's essential that you give written notice to your employer. The written notice must reach your employer no later than thirty days after the incident in most cases, and it needs to include the date, time, and place of the injury, a description of its nature, and your name and address. Many employers do have their own incident forms for you to fill out, but if not, the state also provides a free form called WC-280 that you can use if needed. The wisest thing to do to be absolutely certain everything moves forward as it should is to deliver the notice in person with a witness or send it by certified mail with return receipt requested. Why Moving Quickly Is Important Obviously there's a legal requirement to fulfill here, but there's more to it than that. When the details and evidence are fresh, your employer (and your own lawyer, if necessary) can investigate better. Witnesses still remember what happened, and video or photographic records still exist. Early reporting also lets your employer arrange authorized medical treatment quickly, which supports your recovery and creates consistent documentation of the injury. What About Gradual Onset Injuries? Injuries that develop gradually, such as those caused by repeated motions or workplace exposures, also have a thirty-day window, but the thirty days run from the date that your doctor diagnoses the condition and ties it to your work, not from the date the symptoms first appeared. Next Steps Once you provide notice to your employer, your employer must forward that information to their workers' compensation insurance carrier or third-party administrator within five days. The carrier or administrator then files the First Report of Injury with the Division of Workers' Compensation within thirty days of learning about the incident. If your employer doesn't report the injury, or if the insurer doesn't, then they can face some serious consequences. There are fines and even possible prison sentences for this kind of fraud and noncompliance. How a Lawyer Can Help Despite the potential consequences, some employers and insurers drag their feet with these injuries, so it's important to keep on your employer and make sure they've done the proper reporting. Getting a lawyer is a good way to keep things moving. Your lawyer can make sure all notifications are made, put pressure on and even report your employer or their insurer if they're not following through, and help you challenge any denials, delays, or other issues that could jeopardize your claim. Talk to a Personal Injury and Workers' Comp Attorney For help with your workers' comp claim, contact Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law in Parkville, MO or call us at 816-572-6324. We offer free consultations, and we have decades of experience serving the Kansas City Metro area.

In a personal injury situation at work, it's common to wonder if you'll have issues if you were partially at fault. Partial fault workers' compensation is a thing: in Missouri, you're not barred from getting benefits just because you contributed to an accident, except under very limited circumstances. Missouri and Partial Fault Workers' Compensation Missouri's workers' compensation system is a no-fault program. The only thing that matters is whether your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. It doesn't matter who was to blame. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent, and your own partial contribution to the incident generally will not prevent you from receiving medical care, wage replacement, or other benefits. Because of this no-fault design, your percentage of fault in causing the accident usually does not reduce or eliminate your benefits, and the courts and the Division of Workers' Compensation will just be concerned to evaluate whether the injury meets the “arising out of and in the course of employment” test. Specific Exceptions There are some specific, and narrow, exceptions to this rule: Intentional If you intentionally injure yourself, benefits are barred completely. However, it is your employer's responsibility to prove you did it on purpose: you don't have to prove you didn't. Failure of Safety Rules If you fail to use your employer-provided safety devices or ignore reasonable safety rules you knew about and were trained on, your compensation is reduced by at least 25%, but not more than 50%. But again, it's on your employer to show that you'd been trained on the rules and had access to the safety gear. Drugs and Alcohol If your employer has rules against the use of drugs or alcohol, and you were using drugs or alcohol at the time of the injury, this can trigger a 50% reduction. You can even forfeit all of your benefits if it can be shown that taking the drugs or alcohol was the proximate cause of the accident. Personal Choice If you choose to take part in a recreational activity and get hurt during that activity, even if your employer encouraged you to take part, you don't get compensation. However, if you were required to take part, or if you were paid at all for your time while taking part, it counts as work and your benefits have to be paid. Third-Party Personal Injury Claim If someone other than your employer or co-worker caused or contributed to your injury, like a delivery driver or a subcontractor, you may have a separate personal injury claim against that party in addition to your workers' comp benefits. However, this is a normal personal injury claim, so comparative fault rules would apply. That means you can only collect from them in proportion to their degree of fault. Don't let worries about blame keep you from filing for the workers' comp you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation at Spooner & Perkins, Attorneys at Law, to discuss your situation. We bring decades of dedicated experience representing injured workers in Missouri and Kansas.

If you've been injured by a defective product here in Missouri, you have the right to compensation, but you'll need to be able to prove the product was defective. Contact your Parkville, MO product liability lawyer will help you gather and use the right evidence. Product Liability Claims in Parkville, Missouri If you were injured by a defective product in Parkville, MO, you may be entitled to pursue compensation under Missouri product liability law. These cases are based on strict liability, which means you may not need to prove negligence—only that the product was defective and caused your injury. However, successful claims require strong evidence. A Parkville, Missouri product liability attorney can help identify the type of defect involved, preserve critical evidence, and build a case supported by engineering analysis, medical records, and product documentation. What Qualifies as a Defective Product in Missouri? Under Missouri product liability law, a product may be considered defective if it is unreasonably dangerous when used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner. Most claims fall into three main categories: Manufacturing defects Design defects Failure to warn (marketing defects) Each category requires a different legal approach and type of supporting evidence. Types of Product Defects in a Missouri Liability Claim Manufacturing Defects A manufacturing defect occurs when a product departs from its intended design during production. Even if the overall product line is safe, a single faulty unit can still cause serious injury. To prove this type of defect, evidence often includes: Comparison to the manufacturer’s design specifications or blueprints Inspection of identical, non-defective units forensic or engineering analysis of the damaged product Design Defects A design defect exists when the product’s design itself is unsafe, even if it was manufactured correctly. In these cases, the legal focus is on whether: the product’s risks outweigh its intended benefits a safer, reasonable alternative design was available the product failed ordinary consumer expectations of safety Design defect claims often rely heavily on expert testimony from engineers, safety specialists, and product design experts. Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects) A failure-to-warn claim arises when a product is dangerous but does not include adequate instructions or warnings. To prove this type of defect, you must generally show that: the manufacturer knew or should have known about the danger the risk was not clearly disclosed to consumers proper instructions or warning labels were missing or insufficient These claims often involve issues such as inadequate labeling, unclear safety instructions, or failure to warn about foreseeable misuse risks. Evidence Needed for a Product Liability Claim Preserving evidence immediately after an injury is critical. Once a product is altered, repaired, or discarded, proving liability becomes significantly more difficult. Key steps include: preserving the product in its original post-incident condition taking detailed photographs from multiple angles documenting model numbers, serial numbers, and purchase details keeping original packaging, instructions, and receipts Additional supporting evidence often includes: medical records and treatment documentation accident scene photos and reports witness statements product recall information (if applicable) An attorney may also work with engineering experts to inspect the product, conduct controlled testing, and determine how the failure occurred. Expert Analysis and Engineering Investigation Most product liability cases require expert evaluation to establish how the defect caused the injury. These experts may: Inspect the product for structural or mechanical failure Compare it to industry safety standards Perform laboratory testing or simulations Provide professional opinions on defect causation This testimony is often critical in proving that the defect—not user error—was responsible for the injury. Comparative Fault in Missouri Product Liability Cases Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. This means your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially responsible for your injury. For example, if a jury determines you were 20% at fault, your total recovery would be reduced by 20%. Manufacturers and insurance companies often argue: Improper use of the product Failure to follow instructions Assumption of risk A product liability attorney’s role is to counter these arguments with evidence showing the defect—not user behavior—caused the injury. Damages in a Product Liability Claim Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include: medical expenses (past and future) lost wages and reduced earning capacity pain and suffering permanent disability or disfigurement other injury-related financial losses Each case is evaluated based on severity, long-term impact, and available evidence. Why Legal Representation Matters Product liability cases are complex and often involve manufacturers, insurance companies, and expert witnesses. Building a strong claim requires: identifying the correct type of defect preserving and analyzing physical evidence working with engineering and medical experts navigating Missouri strict liability laws An experienced attorney can help ensure your case is properly documented and supported from the beginning. Speak With a Parkville, MO Product Liability Lawyer If you or a loved one was injured by a defective product in Missouri, you should understand your legal options as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear quickly, and strict deadlines may apply to your claim. Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law represents injured clients in product liability and personal injury cases throughout Parkville and the surrounding Missouri and Kansas regions. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your potential claim.

If you suffer a slip-and-fall injury in Parkville, MO, understanding what constitutes premises liability is the key to figuring out whether the property owner can be held responsible for your harm. A premises liability lawyer can provide the clarity you need, help you bring your claim, and give it the best chance at success. What Constitutes Premises Liability in Slip-and-Fall Cases in Parkville, MO? Premises liability generally is the legal responsibility to maintain one's land and buildings in a condition that does not pose any unreasonable risk to those who enter them lawfully. Core Elements You Must Establish To hold a property owner accountable under Missouri law, you need to prove several interconnected elements. First, there must have been a dangerous condition on the premises that involved an unreasonable risk of harm to visitors. Second, the owner or their agent must have known about this condition, or, through the exercise of ordinary care, should have discovered it. Third, the owner must have failed to exercise reasonable care either to eliminate the dangerous condition or to warn you. Finally, this failure must have been the proximate cause of your fall and the resulting injuries, meaning that "but for" the hazardous condition, the incident would not have occurred in the way it did. Your Status on the Property An "invitee" includes all customers in stores or clients at businesses, and they receive the highest level of protection. Owners must fix or warn of all known dangers and also conduct inspections to discover hidden hazards and deal with them promptly. "Licensees" are social guests, such as visitors to a private home, and they are owed a duty only regarding dangers the owner actually knows about. A private property owner isn't responsible for regularly inspecting their property before having visitors. Building Your Case You'll need evidence to support each element of liability. Immediately after the incident, if possible, document the scene with photographs or videos showing the exact condition that caused your fall, including any lack of warning signs. Report the accident to the property manager or owner on the spot and get a copy of any incident report. Identify any witnesses and get their contact information. Your medical records will link your injuries directly to the accident, so be sure to save those. You'll give all this to your lawyer, who will begin building the case while you concentrate on recovery. Your lawyer may conduct their own investigation, call on expert witnesses, and even dig into whether there might be complaints against the property for dangerous conditions. How Comparative Fault Applies Missouri has a pure comparative fault system, which means that even if you bear some degree of responsibility for not noticing or avoiding the hazard, you can still recover damages, though they'll be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. Consult a Premises Liability Lawyer Your lawyer will help you build a strong case, and consulting a lawyer should be one of your first moves after an accident of this nature. For experienced help, contact Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law now in Parkville for help anywhere in the Kansas City metro area.

Missouri law holds dog owners strictly liable for the damage their dogs may cause, whether that's to people, property, or other animals. In most cases, there's no need for you to prove that the dog was known to be vicious in order to collect damages. But that doesn't mean the situation will be straightforward. Talk to a Parkville, MO dog bite attorney as soon as possible if you've been bitten to find out what all your rights are and how to secure them. Missouri's Strict Liability Missouri's laws hold dog owners strictly liable. Strictly liable simply means that the owner is automatically responsible for what their dog does, and a victim does not need to prove negligence on the part of the owner or prior viciousness on the part of the dog to bring a claim. However, there are some exceptions it's important to know about. Most importantly, the bite must have come either on public property or on private property where the victim was legally permitted to be. For example, if you were bitten on a sidewalk, the owner would be liable. If a dog enters your property and bites you, again, the owner is liable. But if you are on the owner's property, everything depends on your status there. A dog owner is typically not liable if a dog bites a trespasser or someone committing a crime on their property. If a victim was provoking a dog prior to being bitten, then all bets are off. The court will decide who is to blame and to what degree, and Missouri's comparative fault system for personal injury will come into play. Comparative fault rules state that a victim's compensation is reduced by the same percentage as their fault. Other Things to Know When a Dog Harms in Other Ways Dog owners are not just responsible for bites. If a dog knocks someone over and injures them or chases a cyclist and causes the cyclist to crash, the dog owner could be held liable. Homeowners Insurance Usually Covers Dog Bite Claims For most dog bites, the owner's homeowners insurance policy is what will pay out any claim. But it's important to have your lawyer look into this. Some policies specifically exclude dog bites, while others exclude coverage for certain breeds known to be high risk, such as rottweilers or pit bulls. There may also be a cap on the payout that's lower than personal injury claims for other liability, even under the same policy. Practically speaking, your claim's value is usually limited by the policy limit. While you can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner directly, be aware that they may not have the resources to pay a particularly large claim. Your lawyer will tell you more after looking into it. Talk to a Dog Bite Attorney in Parkville, MO To find out more about how the law will apply in your case, reach out to Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law in Parkville, MO today for a free consultation.

All personal injury claims are matters of civil, not criminal court, though if you were injured by someone committing a crime, it's possible there will be a criminal case in addition to a civil one. However, particularly catastrophic injuries require experienced representation in the courts of Kansas City and Parkville, MO. Talk with a catastrophic injury attorney right away if you've been injured by another person's negligence. What Makes a Catastrophic Injury Claim Different in the Kansas City and Parkville, MO Area Courts? More Complex Because of the nature of the injuries themselves, these claims tend to need a lot more explanation and evidence than claims involving simpler injuries. Typically, your lawyer will need to gather quite a lot of expert testimony to help judges and juries understand your injuries and the effect they have on your life. You'll need expert medical witnesses to explain the nature of your injuries in layman's terms, and you may also need an economist to help them understand the financial burden and a life-care planner or vocational expert to make it clear what kind of costs and needs you'll have going forward. You'll also need very clear and convincing medical evidence and detailed documentation of a permanent disability, like a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, or paralysis. These need to show not only what's happened to you but also support the contention that these issues will not likely resolve. Higher Potential Value When you're talking about injuries this severe, the damages can reach into the millions once you consider all the ongoing medical expenses, the lost salary and earning potential, and even modifications you may need to your home and ongoing, long-term care. Then there's the pain and suffering you've endured and the emotional trauma, which also should be reimbursed. Because these cases tend to have high value, you can expect the defendant and their insurance company to aggressively defend themselves. This typically means more complicated negotiations, a longer time in the discovery period of the trial, and a much higher likelihood that the case will go to trial. Damages Caps Missouri courts impose no caps on your economic damages. Economic damages are those which you can quantify with bills, receipts, and expert projections about future costs. For most personal injury claims, there is also no cap on non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. However, there is an exception with medical malpractice. For medical malpractice, the non-economid damages are capped, and this cap is adjusted each year for inflation. In 2025, the cap for catastrophic damages is $828,529. It's important to know that you'll have to meet the criteria for "catastrophic" to be able to ask for this full amount, as the cap on non-catastrophic injuries is just $473,445. Missouri law considers quadriplegia, paraplegia, loss of two or more limbs, severe brain impairment, significant loss of vision, or major organ failure as "catastrophic." Talk with a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today These cases are complicated and can be difficult to win without the right support and experience. Call Spooner & Perkins, Attorneys at Law, in Parkville, MO at 816-572-6324 ​and request a free ​consultation on your case.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-altering, and trying to recover is difficult enough. If you're also embroiled in a personal injury claim and trying to figure out how to get compensation for what someone else is responsible for, the stress can be nearly overwhelming. Talk to a Parkville, MO traumatic brain injury lawyer to find out specifically what your options are and get a legal professional on your side to help you explore all your legal options. What Legal Recourse Do You Have After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury in Parkville, MO? Missouri follows a system called pure comparative negligence for personal injury cases, and this system lets you to recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. The amount you recover gets reduced by your percentage of fault, however, so if a court finds you 20% at fault, your award would drop by that much. This means you can bring a claim so long as the accident wasn't completely your fault alone; however, it also means that insurance companies will be looking to shift blame as much as possible, so it's important to have a lawyer on your side to protect your rights. Statute of Limitations for Claims In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date you discover the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline will apply to most cases where you might suffer a TBI, and missing it usually means you will lose your right to sue. There are exceptions where you might have more or less time, so starting the process as soon as you can is always the best step. Types of Claims Available Missouri is an at-fault state, so you would typically start by filing a claim against the other driver's or property owner's insurance first. If those negotiations fail, a lawsuit in civil court could follow, and your lawyer will tell you more. Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in our state, and it protects you in a car accident situation where the other driver doesn't have insurance. If the injury happened at work, then workers' compensation might apply instead of a claim and potential suit, or it might be in addition to those. Worker's comp typically covers workers regardless of who was at fault but also limits your ability to bring a lawsuit against your employer. However, if a third party contributed to the accident, like a faulty equipment maker, you could pursue a separate claim against them. Steps to Pursue a Claim Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Contact a lawyer as soon as you can. Your lawyer will gather evidence for you, keep things moving, deal with the paperwork, and negotiations, and more. Notify the Insurer Notify the at-fault party's insurer promptly, and ask your attorney for help if you're unable to take care of these issues yourself. Your lawyer will investigate, calculate damages, and negotiate a settlement with the insurer. If needed, they'll file a complaint in court and take the lawsuit all the way through if the insurer refuses to settle for a reasonable amount. Workers' Compensation Options If your injury occurred on the job, you have a lot of hoops to jump through, and your lawyer can help you with this, too. Whatever your situation, you want to act quickly to protect your rights. For help anywhere in the larger Parkville area, contact Spooner & Perkins, Attorneys at Law today for a consultation.

If you've been injured while on a construction site here in Parkville, MO or the surrounding areas, talk to a construction accident lawyer as quickly as you can about the best way to protect your rights and take the next steps to ensure you get the compensation you're entitled to. What Should You Do If You're Injured on a Construction Site in Parkville, MO? Get Medical Help Right Away If it's an emergency, get medical help immediately. Don't let any "tough guy" culture keep you from getting the help you need. Not only might a more minor injury become serious, but you could end up with long-term health implications and also miss out on important benefits. Notify your supervisor if that's possible, and they should provide you with medical assistance and help you in reporting it. But whether you're able to do that or not in the moment, call 911 and get the help you need. Be sure to also follow the treatment plan that your doctor lays out, and do so to the letter. If your doctor says you're not to engage in certain activities or use certain types of equipment, follow the doctor's orders. That's because the second important reason for getting a medical evaluation is to make it very clear that your injuries were caused by the accident. If you delay too long, that may call the connection into question. And if you don't follow doctor's orders, an insurance company may claim that you are contributing to your condition and deny benefits. Report the Injury Give a detailed and accurate account of what happened, what the site conditions were like, what events led up to the accident, and any witnesses who were present and can verify what happened to your employer within 30 days. Your employer should then report your injury to workers' compensation, and if you haven't gotten medical care already, that's something your employer should arrange. Your employer has the right to choose your doctor: you can see your own doctor or get a second opinion, but know that you'll pay for that out of pocket. Your employer should also report your injury to OSHA within 30 days (and within 24 hours if you were hospitalized as an in-patient or lost an eye or limb), as construction sites are non-exempt working environments. OSHA provides another layer of protection for you, and your lawyer can help you access that if you need. Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer A skilled lawyer will know how to jump through all the legal hoops to get you what you're owed, and your lawyer will also be able to help you appeal a denial of benefits, prove what happened, and even investigate if your employer is denying that the accident happened or otherwise trying to cover up facts. Your lawyer can also follow up with your employer to make sure they've done all the required reporting. If you've been in an accident, call Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law for help in Parkville, MO.

If you've been hit by a car while using our shared streets here in Parkville, MO, you have the right to bring a personal injury claim against whoever is responsible for your injuries. What exactly you can claim will depend on what you've lost, but getting the full compensation you deserve will depend a great deal on the skill of your personal injury lawyer. Call an attorney as soon as possible after an accident so you can start building a strong claim. What Compensation Can Pedestrians Seek After Being Hit by a Vehicle in Parkville, MO? Economic Damages The first thing you can ask for are your economic damages, which are all the quantifiable monetary losses you've sustained. Most notable among these will be your medical bills. You can seek compensation for all medical treatment you've had, including follow-up treatment, physical therapy, and all the medications you've had to pay for. If your own insurance company has paid for these, be aware that some of your settlement will then go to reimburse them, but your lawyer will help you work this out and make sure your insurance company doesn't take more than they actually paid. Your economic damages might also include lost wages if you couldn't get to work and compensation for other work-related losses. For example, if there are bonuses that you were working towards but are no longer eligible for, or overtime that you can prove you normally would've taken and which was available while you were laid up, you may be able to claim for those. Finally, if you sustained any property damage, such as if a computer or mobile phone was destroyed in the accident, you can claim compensation. Non-Economic Damages Most people refer to these by the colloquial term "pain and suffering." These damages are compensation for what you've suffered and how your life has been affected, but you can't actually quantify them with a receipt or a bill. This includes compensation for your pain and suffering but also emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. It can be tough to figure these. Your lawyer will help you do so effectively and prove the full extent of what you've suffered. In general, the most common way to figure these damages is to calculate all your economic damages and then multiply that by a number between one and five. Whether you choose one, five, or a number in between depends on how badly you were injured and how long it takes to recover. Punitive Damages Punitive damages are extremely rare. They don't reimburse you; they punish the responsible party to deter them and others from behaving in that way in future. Punitive damages are only awarded where the responsible party's behavior was wildly egregious or if they deliberately tried to hurt you. Talk With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer If you've been injured as a pedestrian, don't go up against the insurance company alone. Talk to us today at Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law here in Parkville, MO.