What To Do When Your Workers Compensation Claim Is Denied

If you were injured at work, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits--provided that your employer carries this type of coverage. Workers compensation benefits can help to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs related to an injury/incident that occurs at work. Unfortunately, not all workers compensation benefits are approved. It is actually quite common for benefits claims to be denied the first time around, so knowing what to do if this has happened to you is a must.

1. Find Out the Reason for Denial

Start by determining exactly why your claim was denied. You will be sent a formal letter explaining not just that your claim was denied, but the reasoning behind the denial. There are many different reasons as to why a claim may be initially denied. One of the most common reasons is a lack of documentation, such as copies of your medical bills or incident reports from your job. In some cases, a claim may be denied if the workers compensation application was not submitted in time or if your employer has disputed the claim.

No matter what, your letter of denial should include an explanation as to why your claim was rejected.

2. Explore Your Appeal Options

In many cases, it will make sense to appeal your workers compensation rejection. This is especially true if your employer has disputed your claim or if your original application was denied due to lack of documentation that you're able to provide. Unfortunately, a denial due to not filing in time or failure to report your injury in a timely manner may not be successfully appealed.

If you decide to move forward with an appeal, you'll generally have 30 days to formally file your appeal and begin the process.

3. Consult With an Attorney

Appealing a workers compensation denial can be a complicated legal process, but it's one that will be worth it if you can get the benefits you need. This is where consulting with an experienced workers compensation attorney can make all the difference. He or she will be able to provide you with legal guidance and assistance throughout the appeals process.

Finding out that your workers compensation claim has been denied can be disheartening, but in most cases, you can (and should) file an appeal. From there, you'll have another shot at getting approved for the workers compensation benefits to which you may be entitled. To learn more, contact an attorney such as Bishop Dorfman Kroupa & Bishop PC.