Slips, falls, tripping over hazardous material, workplace violence, stress, overexertion, struck by an object, getting caught or compressed by machinery: these and more are possible causes of a workplace injury. While any employee can experience an injury on the job, blue-collar professionals face the highest risk or injury, disability or even death. In industries like construction, production, farming and truck driving are especially hazardous.
If you get injured at your workplace, you expect workers’ comp to either cover or reimburse your medical and life expenses spent during your recovery. Getting your claim initially denied can be a low feeling, but it’s far from the end of the road. In fact, if you appeal the denial, your claim may be converted, and that’s where the silver lining shows up.
Doubling your recovery fund
Many companies have been more vigilant in denying claims in recent years as they have had increased access to data and analytics. Denied claims increased by 20% between 2013 and 2017. While these companies may think that they are saving money by denying more workers comp’ claims, the figures show a different reality as the overall expenses for a converted claim is three times greater than an initially granted claim.
According to a study conducted by Lockton, an independent insurance brokerage firm, nearly 70% of all denied workers’ comp claims are converted and payout 55% more per claimant (the injured worker). How’s that for a breath of fresh air?
The study identified that the average claim payout was $10,153, while the average payout for a converted claim was $15,694. The workers’ compensation system can be challenging to navigate on your own. If you feel that you could benefit from some professional assistance, consider contacting a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney to represent your right to recovery compensation.
Of course, you want to receive your compensation as quickly as possible, but as the evidence suggests, don’t lose hope if your employer denies your initial claim.