After sustaining a workplace injury, you can and should file for workers’ compensation benefits. Although the process seems straightforward, you might encounter some hurdles along the way, which could either result in delays or an outright denial of your claim. However, even if your claim was denied, you can still potentially receive the benefits you deserve if you hire an attorney to handle the appeal.
Appealing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
There are several reasons why a workers’ compensation claim might be denied. If you missed the deadline to report your injury, for example, your claim will undoubtedly get denied.
Below is a list of other reasons why your workers’ compensation claim might be denied:
- Your employer disputed the claim. If the incident happened outside of work or was the result of horseplay, for example, you would not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer might also dispute your claim if you purposely caused your injury.
- Your workplace injury is not compensable. You will only receive workers’ compensation benefits if your injuries necessitated medical care and you needed to take some time off from work. If you have an injury that is medically difficult to prove, your claim might also get denied.
- You did not receive any medical treatment. Once again, to receive workers’ compensation, you must require some medical treatment.
- There is not enough evidence to prove the injury was work-related. If you cannot prove that your injury or illness is work-related, your claim will likely get denied.
That said, although numerous reasons can result in a denial of your claim, it does not mean you do not have a case. With an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side, you can appeal the decision. The denial letter you receive will include a deadline for you to file your appeal, so it is crucial not to postpone legal action.
Keep in mind that the appeals process is far more complex than the initial process of filing for workers’ compensation benefits. If you did not have legal assistance during your first attempt to obtain benefits, you should absolutely consider doing so now to improve your chances of success. There are also varying levels of appeal, so you will likely have more than once chance at this.
Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Case with a Knowledgeable Attorney Today!
If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, you can still obtain the benefits to which you are entitled if you file an appeal. However, you will need an experienced legal advocate on your side. At Leigh Law Firm, our law firm is committed to helping injured workers protect their rights, so they can obtain the benefits they need to get back on their feet. You should not have to struggle on your own during a time when you should focus on recovering from your injuries.
Get started on the appeals process today and reach out to our law office at (619) 473-7569 to set up a free initial consultation with our trusted workers’ compensation attorney.