Pursuing workers’ compensation is often a necessity after you have suffered an injury on the job. Whether the severity of the injury renders you temporarily disabled or simply calls for a brief break from work, you need to know that the accident will not devastate your finances. This is why it is so important for employers to carry sufficient workers’ comp insurance and take all claims seriously.
When you report your injury to your employer, it should provide you with the documents necessary to file a claim, which it then forwards to the insurer. Though this process may seem straightforward enough, many injured workers see their claims denied. Consider the following three reasons you should not give up.
1. Initially denied claims often still receive approval
It might surprise you to learn that most workers’ comp claims that initially receive a denial eventually become approved, and applicants obtain benefits. According to Risk & Insurance, this is true of nearly 70 percent of denied claims, in fact. Many people see a denial as defeat, but it does not necessarily mean your claim cannot later receive approval.
2. You can appeal the decision
Though a denial feels disheartening, there is a process in place that provides built-in recourse for injured workers who are not initially granted workers’ compensation benefits. Laws mandate that an appeals process must be available so that applicants can apply again and have another shot at receiving benefits. When you appeal a denial, you should be sure to include new information or correct any errors.
3. There is help available
Filing for workers’ comp can be a difficult and confusing process. It can seem overwhelming, and its design is not user-friendly. This puts applicants at a disadvantage, but there is help available. Consulting with an attorney can help you better understand the process and help you to avoid any mistakes that may jeopardize your benefits.
