Employees in numerous industries sustain injuries on the job site every year. In North Carolina, workers are eligible to file for workers’ compensation, which can provide medical benefits and compensation for both temporary and permanent disability.
However, many workers become disheartened when they file for workers’ comp only to receive a denial in the mail weeks later. The important thing to remember when this happens is to not panic. Many employees initially receive a denial, and you want to make sure you appeal the decision rather than re-submit an entirely new application.
Learn the reason for the denial
Occasionally, the reason for the denial will be a clerical error you should hopefully be able to fix quickly. However, most of the time, the reason comes down to a problem with the initial paperwork. Some of the most common explanations for why an employee did not receive approval include the following:
- Insufficient evidence the injury occurred at work
- The employee failed to receive medical treatment in a timely manner
- The employer has disputed the claim
- The employee failed to file the claim in time
There are many other reasons why a claim did not receive approval. No matter what, you want to reach out to the organization to learn the specific cause.
File an appeal quickly
There is no need to start from scratch when you deal with a denial. You will have a set period of time to file the appeal, but first, you want to speak with your employer. Based on the reason for the denial, you may require additional paperwork, and you want your boss to be on the same page.
Appealing a decision can be long and arduous. You want to adequately address the reasons for the denial, and that may require you to get a second medical evaluation or evidence showing you were at the workplace. Once you have a workers’ comp lawyer in your corner, you will receive guidance on how to go in front of an administrative law judge.
