Were you injured on the job? Do you have reason to believe that you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits?
If you answered yes to both these questions, you shouldn’t wait another day to file a claim.
Generally speaking (although not always the case), workplace injuries are covered by a company’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Unfortunately, even if you are injured on the job, your claim could be denied. Common reasons for denied benefits include:
- You failed to report the injury in a timely manner.
- You did not file the necessary paperwork on time.
- Your employer disputes the claim.
- You did not receive medical treatment for the injury.
- You are unable to prove that the accident happened at work.
As you can see, you have control over many of these points. For example, you should never wait to report an injury to your employer.
Conversely, other reasons for a denial are more difficult to deal with.
Many employers will do whatever it takes to avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits. This often means disputing your claim, such as arguing that your accident happened outside of work as opposed to on the job.
If you find yourself in this position, you must understand your legal rights and then take the necessary steps to receive the benefits to which you’re entitled.
Upon receiving a denial letter, carefully examine it with an eye toward how to file an appeal. In addition to meeting with your employer in the hope of resolving the dispute, you may need to file an official appeal.
Filing a workers’ compensation appeal can be complicated, especially if you don’t know the legal side of doing so. For this reason, you need to do two things:
- Fully understand what’s being asked of you and what will come as the process moves forward.
- Consult with a legal professional who can help you from start to finish.
It’s natural to have questions related to workers’ compensation. As long as you answer each one as it comes to light, you should receive the benefits you deserve.