Common Reasons Workers Compensation Claims Get Denied

Injured workers are entitled to receive benefits under the workers compensation system. Their medical expenses, loss of wages, disability benefits, and death benefits are paid for under workers compensation. It is advised that the employee notify his supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as an injury occurs.

The employee should then file for workers compensation, and the employer shall take care of his treatment. However, in some cases the employer denies workers compensation claims. There could be several reasons behind this. Here are some of them:

No One Witnessed the Injury

One common reason employers deny workers compensation is that no one witnessed the injury. Employers often treat such cases with suspicion. This is why it is important for an injured worker to immediately bring their injury to the attention of their supervisor.

Discrepancy between Initial Medical Report and Accident Records

Inconsistencies in the statements pertaining to the injury and how it happened can work against you. Your statement about how the injury occurred should be substantiated with the initial medical report, and also by your co-workers, supervisors, and other eye witnesses.

Delay in Reporting the Injury

Again, an injured worker should report his injury to the employer soon after it occurs. Any delay will only jeopardize your chances of getting workers compensation benefits.

The Employee Filed Claim after Getting Laid Off

We have come across several cases where the employee delayed filing the workers compensation claim, and by the time he did, he got fired or laid off from work. In such cases, the employer often thinks that the employer is making a revenge claim.

The Employee Refused to Sign Medical Authorizations or Provide Recorded Statement

Insurance companies may require the injured employee to provide a written record of the accident, or sign medical authorizations allowing the insurer to access his medical records. Refusal to do so may give the insurance company an opportunity to deny the claim.

St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney

In some cases, the employer or the insurance company may deliberately try to find faults to refuse workers compensation. In such cases, the employee should consult an experienced Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyer to discuss his case, and approach workers compensation authorities to appeal the denial of benefits.

An attorney will help prepare all the paperwork and evidence to help fight your case. At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann we can guide you through every step of the process, and act in your best interest to ensure that you get the rightful compensation that you deserve.

Call us today at (314) 361-4300 to schedule a free consultation with a workers compensation attorney at our law office.



photo credit:  bloomsberries via Flickr