What to do about a workers’ compensation denial

You never expect to suffer an on-the-job injury, but you know that this could happen when you least expect it.

If you are injured on the job (or become ill) you need to understand your legal rights. You may come to find that filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits is an absolute must, as you are unable to return to your job in the near future.

Here’s the problem: Just because you make a workers’ compensation claim does not mean you will begin to receive benefits. Instead, you could find yourself reading through a denial letter.

Here are some of the more common reasons for a workers’ compensation denial:

• You did not file a claim for benefits in time
• You did not report the injury to your employer in time
• Your employer fights the claim, such as by stating you did not suffer the injury at work
• You did not receive medical treatment after the injury
• You are unable to prove that you were injured on the job

These are just a few of the many things that can make it more difficult to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

What to do about a denial

If you receive a workers’ compensation denial letter, you have one of two options: Go along with it or file an appeal.

If you know you deserve to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you need to file an appeal in a timely manner. Yes, this means you have to put more time into the process, but it’s something you need to do if you want things to work out in the end.

Read your denial letter from start to finish for a better idea of how the appeals process works. It will outline the steps you need to take.

Collect any documentation that supports your claim and can help you win your appeal.

In a perfect world, your initial workers’ compensation claim would result in receiving benefits. However, you know that this may not be the case. If you find yourself in this spot, learn more about your legal rights and how to file an appeal.