If you've been injured at work, you are entitled to workers compensation benefits. Even when your case appears clear cut, you can be denied benefits for any number of reasons. While it's important to understand the most common reasons workers compensation benefits are denied, it's also useful to understand that you can appeal this decision to get the benefits you deserve. Whether your paperwork wasn't filed on time, or you had a previously existing condition, an attorney can help guide you through the appeals process.
Paperwork Wasn't Filed on Time
This is one of the most common reasons your workers compensation claim may be denied. Workers who are injured must report their injury as soon as possible to their employer, and fill out all of the necessary paperwork. Your employer must also fill out their paperwork quickly, and file with their insurance company regarding the work injury. Your claim can be denied regardless of who is responsible for filing late paperwork.
Your Employer Disputes Your Claim
If your employer does not believe the accident you are claiming occurred, or the feel that you were injured outside of the work place, they can dispute your workers compensation claim. Employers will dispute claims that they do not think are legitimate, as the more claims their insurance company has to pay out, the higher their premiums for workers compensation insurance become. If your employer disputes your claim, you will need to provide additional evidence that your injury happened at work and what the extent of your injuries are.
Treatment During a Workers Compensation Claim
When you have been injured at work, you must seek treatment for your injuries. While you may feel that treatment isn't going to help you, skipping out on treatment makes it appear as if your injury is not as debilitating as you may be claiming. You must seek medical attention and follow through with all recommendations from treatment providers. You should let your treatment providers know that this is a potential workers compensation claim and provide information regarding your employer to these providers for billing purposes. When you've been injured, your goal is to recover from your injuries. The only way you are going to get back to your previous health is to work with a treatment team that can report on your progress.
If you have been denied workers compensation benefits, it's time to talk with an attorney that can help you through the appeal process so that you can get the benefits you deserve.
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