Compensation to have priority
Workers' compensation money is protected — it cannot be taken away to pay debts, and creditors cannot grab it. However, a lawyer who helped win the case can get their fees taken out of it if approved. Also, if someone owes unpaid child support, that workers' comp money (except for medical payments) can be taken to cover what is owed.
287.260. to have — not — exceptions. — 1. The compensation payable under this chapter, whether or not it has been awarded or is due, shall not be assignable, shall be from , , and , shall not be subject to or , or be in any way for any debt and in case of the of an employer or his , or the of an attachment or an execution against an employer or insurer shall be entitled to the same as for wages, without limit as to time or amount, except that if written notice is given to the or the of the nature and extent thereof, the division or the commission may allow as on the compensation, reasonable for services in connection with the proceedings for compensation if the services are found to be necessary and may the amount thereof paid to the attorney in a or in . All attorney's fees for services in connection with this chapter shall be subject to by the division or the commission and shall be limited to such charges as are fair and reasonable and the division or the commission shall have to hear and determine all disputes concerning the same.
2. 1 of this section, the compensation payable under this chapter other than compensation for medical expenses and therapy under section 287.141, shall be assignable for the purpose of satisfying child , shall be subject to attachment, garnishment and execution for the purpose of collecting and satisfying unpaid and support obligations, and shall be subject to the lien provided for in section 454.517. Section 452.140 shall apply to limit property exemptions available in an to collect child support under this subsection.
(RSMo 1939 § 3711, A.L. 1965 p. 397, A.L. 1986 H.B. 1479)
Prior revision: 1929 § 3321
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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.