Why Your Worker's Compensation Claim May Be Denied

Although most worker's compensation claims are accepted and paid in time, some of them end up getting denied, at least at first. Here are some of the reasons for the denials:

Your Injury Seems Not To Be Work-Related

Worker's compensation is meant to compensate injuries incurred while on the job. "On the job" here doesn't mean that you were on your employer's premises, but rather that you were in the line of duty or doing something that benefits your employer. However, it's also a fact that injuries incurred on your employer's premises will be easier to prove than those incurred elsewhere. For example, the on-premises injuries are likely to have a witness or even captured on camera. However, injuries incurred on the road, injuries that develop over time or injuries incurred while working at home may be harder to prove. In such cases, worker's compensation insurance may deny your claim if they suspect that you weren't injured in the line of duty.

You Are Late With the Filing

Worker's compensation insurance is one of the most tightly regulated insurance lines. There are strict deadlines and channels for doing things, and making even one mistake may complicate your claim. For example, the worker's compensation laws in your state determine how long you have to report your injury to your supervisor or employer. Failing to make the notification within the required time may see your claim denied. Not only that, but in states where you have to file the worker's compensation claim on your own (in some states, your employer files it on your behalf after you notify them), you also have a limited time in which to do that. This means you shouldn't dilly-dally with your injury notification if you are injured at work.  

You Have Filed Your Claim after Quitting Work

Apart from the issue of deadlines, it also pays to file your claim fast if you have been injured at work because you don't know if you may lose your job in the near future. This is a factor to consider here because filing your worker's compensation if you are no longer employed while you were injured may be complicated. Some insurance carriers and employers view such claims with suspicion because they reek of revenge or fraud. It is not that your claim cannot go through if you are no longer employed; it is just that you will have to work harder than usual to prove it.

Seeking help from a lawyer like https://www.oxnerpermarlaw.com/ before filing can help you make a strong claim. However, you can still use a lawyer if your claim has been denied because they can help you mount a strong appeal.

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