Worker’s compensation is vital for employees who are injured in the workplace. It provides medical benefits and lost wages while employees recover. However, not all workers’ compensation claims are approved. Some claims are denied for various reasons, which will create stress for employees and make them unsure of their next steps.
That is why hiring a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer is essential. They will assess your claim and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. In this blog, we will discuss five reasons why your workers’ compensation claim may be denied.
1. Delayed Reporting of the Injury
Delaying to report the injury is one of the common reasons for a denied workers’ compensation claim. In most states, there are strict time limits within which an injured worker must report the injury to the employer. For example, in some states, this report must be made within 30 days of the incident.
If you wait too long, the insurance company may claim that the injury did not occur at work or that the delay makes it difficult to prove your case. It is critical to notify your employer as soon as possible to avoid this denial.
2. Pre-Existing Conditions
A workers’ compensation claim may be denied if the insurance company believes that your injury was due to a pre-existing condition of a previous injury. Insurance providers may argue that the current injury existed before your workplace accident. In such cases, the insurance provider may not offer compensation for your injury. However, if you can prove that the work incident worsened the pre-existing condition, you can get compensation. With expert medical testimony, you can prove this.
3. Injury Not Considered Work-Related
If the insurance company determines that work-related activities did not cause your injury, they may deny your claim. It will happen if the injury occurred after work hours, during personal work, or while participating in activities unrelated to your job. To prevent this situation, it is crucial to prove that the injury occurred while performing tasks that are directly associated with your work duties.
4. Lack of Proper Documentation
The insurance company may deny a claim if you don’t have proper documentation. Workers’ compensation claims require strong medical evidence to prove the extent of your injuries. In addition, you should have documents related to lost wages, eyewitness statements, photos or videos of the incident, CCTV footage, or any communication you had with the employer regarding the incident. If the information in your documents is incomplete, outdated, or insufficient, the insurance company may deny your claim.
5. Independent Contractor Status
If you are classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee, your worker’s compensation claim may be denied. Many employers classify injured workers while working for a company as independent contractors. If they do so, the employee is not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
This misclassification of workers as independent contractors instead of employees is a serious issue. If you believe you are entitled to workers’ compensation but the employer has incorrectly categorized you, you must consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Conclusion
Workers’ compensation claims are essential to recovering the losses of an employee due to a workplace accident. By understanding these common reasons for denial of such claims, you can take the proper steps to receive the compensation you deserve.
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