For people dealing with an injury at work, finding an attorney who understands the workers’ compensation system can make the legal process easier to navigate. In Missouri and Kansas, attorney Mike Mergen has spent much of his career representing injured workers and helping them pursue the medical care and benefits available under workers’ compensation laws.
Mergen’s legal career is rooted in both strong academic preparation and extensive courtroom experience. He has represented thousands of injured workers and has tried hundreds of workers’ compensation cases throughout his career.
A Strong Legal Foundation
Mike Mergen began preparing for a legal career at Southwest Missouri State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 1985 with an emphasis in Pre-Law. He continued his education at the University of Missouri School of Law in Columbia, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1988.
While attending law school, Mergen graduated in the top 10% of his class and served as an editor of The Journal of Dispute Resolution. He also ranked number one in his class in the Labor Law area, an early indication of the direction his professional career would eventually take.
Mergen began practicing law in Kansas City, Missouri, after graduating from law school. In May 1991, he moved his practice to Springfield and joined the Hall, Ansley law firm.
Decades of Workers’ Compensation Experience
Mergen has devoted his legal career to helping people who have suffered injuries at work. Over the years, he has represented thousands of injured workers in workers’ compensation matters and has tried hundreds of workers’ compensation cases.
Workers’ compensation cases can involve much more than simply reporting an injury. Questions about medical treatment, lost wages, disability benefits, employer disputes, and the extent of an injury can all become part of a claim. His professional background and legal experience are also reflected through his Avvo profile, which provides additional information about his legal practice and professional background.
Mergen is licensed to practice in Missouri and Kansas, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. His work has remained focused on helping injured workers understand their legal options and navigate the workers’ compensation process.
Involvement in the Legal Community
Beyond his work with individual clients, Mergen has remained involved in the legal community. He has served as Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and has participated in continuing legal education seminars addressing workers’ compensation issues.
His professional associations include the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, and Workers’ Injury and Law Group, commonly known as WILG.
Mergen recently accepted a peer nomination to join WILG, a national nonprofit membership organization focused on representing the interests of workers and their families who need legal assistance with state workers’ compensation programs. The organization includes advocates from all 50 states and provides a national network for attorneys working on behalf of injured workers.
Recognition for Service
Mergen’s work has also received recognition outside the courtroom. He received the Equal Access to Justice Award for outstanding service to clients of Legal Aid of Southern Missouri.
His community involvement has included service on the Board of Directors of Kids’ Chance, an organization that provides educational scholarships to children of workers who have been permanently or catastrophically injured or have died because of workplace injuries.
He is also a graduate of Leadership Springfield, a program sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce that brings local professionals together to learn more about the Springfield community and its leadership needs.
Serving Injured Workers in Missouri and Kansas
Mergen is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas, allowing him to represent injured workers across state lines when their circumstances fall within his practice. His primary practice area is workers’ compensation in Missouri and Kansas.
For injured employees, the legal issues following a workplace accident can sometimes be difficult to understand. A person may be dealing with physical recovery while also trying to determine what benefits may be available and how to respond when an employer or insurance carrier challenges part of a claim.
Mergen’s long experience with workers’ compensation cases has centered on helping clients address those legal concerns and pursue the benefits provided under applicable law.
Life Beyond the Law
Outside his professional work, Mergen is married and has two grown daughters. He enjoys golf and spending time with his grandchildren.
His career reflects a long-term commitment to workers’ compensation law, but his involvement in the community also extends beyond his legal practice. Through organizations such as Legal Aid of Southern Missouri and Kids’ Chance, he has contributed time to causes focused on helping people and families facing difficult circumstances.
After decades in the legal profession, Mike Mergen continues to focus his practice on injured workers in Missouri and Kansas. His background combines legal education, courtroom experience, professional involvement, and community service, all within a career centered on helping people deal with the consequences of workplace injuries.
