A denied workers’ compensation claim can leave you stressed and in financial straits. Not only will you have to cover your medical costs, but you will likely miss out on wages and other work benefits you would have otherwise recovered under workers’ comp.
Here is what you need to do if you have suffered a workplace accident but your claim for benefits has been unsuccessful.
Understand the reasons for the denial
Workers’ compensation approval is not automatic for every injured worker, even if they are eligible. Your claim can get denied for several reasons. For example, you may have failed to provide crucial information, filed your claim after you left your job or there were uncertainties about the nature of your workplace accident.
It is crucial to understand why your claim was denied before taking further steps. It will help you respond accordingly.
Appealing a denied claim
You can appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim. However, you must do so as soon as possible or risk missing crucial deadlines.
The appeal process involves several stages that you may have to go through, depending on the outcome at each level. Importantly, each appeal stage has different legal procedures, and it is advisable to familiarize yourself with what to expect at every level.
Protecting your workers’ compensation claim
It is advisable to seek legal assistance in the early stages of your claim instead of waiting until it is too late or when you encounter difficulties. If you are properly guided on how the claims process works and what is needed to increase the chances of a successful outcome, you may not even have to deal with a denied claim in the first place.
