Effective - 28 Aug 2005
287.190. Permanent partial disability, amount to be paid — permanent partial disability defined — permanent total and partial total disability require certification by physician on compensability — award reduced when. — 1. For permanent partial disability, which shall be in addition to compensation for temporary total disability or temporary partial disability paid in accordance with sections 287.170 and 287.180, respectively, the employer shall pay to the employee compensation computed at the weekly rate of compensation in effect under subsection 5 of this section on the date of the injury for which compensation is being made, which compensation shall be allowed for loss by severance, total loss of use, or proportionate loss of use of one or more of the members mentioned in the schedule of losses.
2. If the disability suffered in any of items (1) through (29) of the schedule of losses is total by reason of severance or complete loss of use thereof the number of weeks of compensation allowed in the schedule for such disability shall be increased by ten percent.
3. For permanent injuries other than those specified in the schedule of losses, the compensation shall be paid for such periods as are proportionate to the relation which the other injury bears to the injuries above specified, but no period shall exceed four hundred weeks, at the rates fixed in subsection 1. The other injuries shall include permanent injuries causing a loss of earning power. For the permanent partial loss of the use of an arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe or phalange, compensation shall be paid for the proportionate loss of the use of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe or phalange, as provided in the schedule of losses.
4. If an employee is seriously and permanently disfigured about the head, neck, hands or arms, the division or commission may allow such additional sum for the compensation on account thereof as it may deem just, but the sum shall not exceed forty weeks of compensation. If both the employer and employee agree, the administrative law judge may utilize a photograph of the disfigurement in determining the amount of such additional sum.
5. The amount of compensation to be paid under subsection 1 of this section shall be computed as follows:
(1) For all injuries occurring on or after September 28, 1983, but before August 28, 1990, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to forty-five percent of the state average weekly wage, as such wage is determined by the division of employment security, as of the July first immediately preceding the date of injury;
(2) For all injuries occurring on or after September 28, 1981, the weekly compensation shall in no event be less than forty dollars per week;
(3) For all injuries occurring on or after August 28, 1990, but before August 28, 1991, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to fifty percent of the state average weekly wage;
(4) For all injuries occurring on or after August 28, 1991, but before August 28, 1992, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to fifty-two percent of the state average weekly wage;
(5) For all injuries occurring on or after August 28, 1992, the weekly compensation shall be an amount equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the employee's average weekly earnings as of the date of the injury; provided that the weekly compensation paid under this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to fifty-five percent of the state average weekly wage.
6. (1) "Permanent partial disability" means a disability that is permanent in nature and partial in degree, and when payment therefor has been made in accordance with a settlement approved either by an administrative law judge or by the labor and industrial relations commission, a rating established by medical finding, certified by a physician, and approved by an administrative law judge or legal advisor, or an award by an administrative law judge or the commission, the percentage of disability shall be conclusively presumed to continue undiminished whenever a subsequent injury to the same member or same part of the body also results in permanent partial disability for which compensation under this chapter may be due; provided, however, the presumption shall apply only to compensable injuries which may occur after August 29, 1959.
(2) Permanent partial disability or permanent total disability shall be demonstrated and certified by a physician. Medical opinions addressing compensability and disability shall be stated within a reasonable degree of medical certainty. In determining compensability and disability, where inconsistent or conflicting medical opinions exist, objective medical findings shall prevail over subjective medical findings. Objective medical findings are those findings demonstrable on physical examination or by appropriate tests or diagnostic procedures.
(3) Any award of compensation shall be reduced by an amount proportional to the permanent partial disability determined to be a preexisting disease or condition or attributed to the natural process of aging sufficient to cause or prolong the disability or need of treatment.
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(RSMo 1939 § 3705, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 438, A.L. 1951 p. 620, A.L. 1953 p. 530, A.L. 1955 p. 588, A.L. 1957 p. 560, A.L. 1959 S.B. 167, A.L. 1961 p. 423, A.L. 1965 pp. 397, 414, A.L. 1967 p. 384, A.L. 1969 p. 393, A.L. 1971 H.B. 25 & 364, A.L. 1974 S.B. 417, A.L. 1975 H.B. 196, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1260, A.L. 1979 H.B. 496, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1396, A.L. 1981 H.B. 324, A.L. 1983 H.B. 243 & 260, A.L. 1990 S.B. 751, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1237, et al., A.L. 2005 S.B. 1 & 130)
Prior revision: 1929 § 3315
(1972) Where claimant whose little, ring and middle fingers and all but stub of index finger had been amputated in industrial accident could write and use hand as a prop and for pushing and prying he did not sustain complete loss of his hand and was not entitled to ten percent increase in compensation for complete disability as provided in subdivision 2. Martin v. Star Cooler Corporation (A.), 484 S.W.2d 32.
(1972) Court will take judicial notice that workman with only part of his major hand remaining would be at disadvantage in labor market and this will support award for disfigurement to claimant whose little, ring and middle fingers and all but stub of his index finger had been amputated in industrial accident as provided in subdivision 4. Martin v. Star Cooler Corporation (A.), 484 S.W.2d 32.
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XVIII - Labor and Industrial Relations
Chapter 287 - Workers' Compensation Law
Section 287.010 - Citation of law.
Section 287.020 - Definitions — intent to abrogate earlier case law.
Section 287.030 - Employer defined.
Section 287.040 - Liability of employer — contractors, subcontractors.
Section 287.041 - For-hire motor carrier not an employer of a lessor — definition.
Section 287.043 - Abrogation of case law regarding definition of owner.
Section 287.060 - Employers and employees affected by this act.
Section 287.100 - Legislative intent relative to other laws expressed.
Section 287.110 - Scope of chapter as to injuries and diseases covered.
Section 287.130 - Employer's liability joint and several — contribution allowable.
Section 287.143 - Vocational rehabilitation services, not mandatory — testing and assessment.
Section 287.144 - Definitions.
Section 287.145 - Rehabilitation practitioners, providers, certification of, how.
Section 287.149 - Benefits to be paid, when — reduction of benefits, when.
Section 287.180 - Temporary partial disability, amount to be paid — method of payment.
Section 287.195 - Claims for hernia, proof required.
Section 287.241 - Death benefits, inconsistent with section 287.240, when.
Section 287.253 - Monetary bonus, effect on benefits.
Section 287.260 - Compensation to have priority — not assignable — exceptions.
Section 287.282 - Employee leasing arrangements, coverage required.
Section 287.290 - Employee not to pay cost of insurance.
Section 287.300 - Employer's liability primary or secondary — notice and service, when sufficient.
Section 287.310 - Policies to be approved by department — deductible plans authorized, requirements.
Section 287.340 - Insurance companies must keep reserve.
Section 287.350 - Insurance companies to make report.
Section 287.360 - Director may suspend or revoke permits and ask for a receiver.
Section 287.370 - Compensation in lieu of insurance, how provided.
Section 287.400 - Accident — duty of division — employer.
Section 287.410 - Powers and functions of the division of workers' compensation.
Section 287.420 - Written notice of injury to be given to employer — exceptions.
Section 287.430 - Limitation as to action, exception.
Section 287.440 - Limitation begins to run, when.
Section 287.450 - Failure to agree on compensation — division to hold hearings.
Section 287.470 - Commission may review and change award.
Section 287.480 - Application for review, time limit — when deemed filed — bond required, when.
Section 287.500 - Circuit court may act upon memorandum — procedure.
Section 287.510 - Temporary or partial awards may be made.
Section 287.520 - Notice — manner of serving.
Section 287.530 - Commission or division may commute compensation, when and how.
Section 287.540 - Compensation commuted — funds, how paid out.
Section 287.550 - Proceedings before commission to be informal and summary.
Section 287.570 - Contempt — penalty.
Section 287.580 - Death, pending proceedings — action shall not abate.
Section 287.590 - Division may be sued — official seal.
Section 287.600 - Oath of office.
Section 287.615 - Employees of division — compensation — selection.
Section 287.620 - Attorney general legal adviser.
Section 287.630 - Forms, other material furnished by commission and division.
Section 287.642 - Public information programs, division to establish.
Section 287.650 - Division to make rules and regulations — power to destroy reports, when — rules.
Section 287.655 - Dismissal of claims, when, how, effect.
Section 287.670 - No fees for services of public officers.
Section 287.680 - Annual report to governor.
Section 287.700 - Returns delinquent — duty of director.
Section 287.710 - Tax returns — payments — use of proceeds — funds and interest not to lapse.
Section 287.713 - Director, report of expenditures.
Section 287.717 - Surcharge collection, procedure — failure to pay, interest assessed, when.
Section 287.730 - Employer carrying own risk must pay tax.
Section 287.740 - Compliance with provisions obligatory — penalty for violation.
Section 287.745 - Delinquent taxes, interest, rate — overpayment of taxes, credit.
Section 287.750 - Sufficiency of notice.
Section 287.760 - Insurance carriers exempt from other tax, when.
Section 287.790 - Penalty not specifically provided — misdemeanor.
Section 287.800 - Law to be strictly construed.
Section 287.801 - Review of claims, by whom.
Section 287.804 - Waiver of compensation by employee, procedure.
Section 287.808 - Burden of proof.
Section 287.810 - Change of administrative law judge, procedure, limitations.
Section 287.811 - Discovery in workers' compensation cases, sections not to effect.
Section 287.812 - Definitions.
Section 287.815 - Retirement, age and service qualifications.
Section 287.825 - Death of member before or after retirement — benefits of beneficiaries.
Section 287.830 - Retirement with less than twelve years service — benefits.
Section 287.840 - Practice of law after retirement — restrictions.
Section 287.845 - Administration of retirement system and funds.
Section 287.850 - Life insurance benefits.
Section 287.855 - Disability benefits.
Section 287.867 - Insolvency fund, created — purposes, audit of.
Section 287.872 - Powers and duties of division.
Section 287.877 - Insolvent member, board may determine, how — notice to division, when.
Section 287.880 - Liability, limitation of.
Section 287.882 - Automatic stay of proceedings, when, duration.
Section 287.885 - Limitations on actions.
Section 287.886 - Severability clause.
Section 287.892 - Workers' compensation insurers to report cost data to department.
Section 287.900 - Citation of law — definitions.
Section 287.902 - Missouri employers mutual insurance company, created, powers, purpose.
Section 287.905 - Board, created — members, appointment, qualifications, terms — chairman.
Section 287.910 - Rates, board to determine, how.
Section 287.912 - Investment policy, board to determine — administrator to make investments, how.
Section 287.915 - Agents may sell policies, commissions.
Section 287.930 - Definitions.
Section 287.932 - Act not applicable, when — unfair trade practices, when.
Section 287.945 - Director to monitor degree of competition, purpose.
Section 287.952 - Rate standards in noncompetitive market, factors.
Section 287.957 - Experience rating plan, contents.
Section 287.960 - Disapproval of rate, when, how — procedures, director's powers — effect.
Section 287.970 - Advisory organization not to file rates on behalf of insurer, exception.