When you get involved in a workplace accident, you could sustain injuries that make it hard to live a normal daily life. Not only may it be difficult to get back to work, but you may also incur significant medical costs.
The workers’ compensation system provides benefits for lost wages, medical care and other expenses to help injured workers recover. But many claims get denied, and if your claim for these benefits did not go through, you may wonder what to do next.
Why some employers deny claims
In some cases, workers’ compensation carriers and employers believe they save money when they deny workers’ compensation claims. But, according to Risk & Insurance, approximately 67% of workers’ compensation claims that originally get denied eventually turn into paid claims within that same year. For cases that initially get denied, the benefits the worker receives are 55% higher than the first claim.
Common reasons for a denial
Some of the most common reasons for a workers’ compensation denial include lack of medical evidence, the presence of a pre-existing condition or having a condition that is stress or non-work related. Other reasons for denial include failing to report the accident in a timely manner or misrepresenting any part of the accident or the injuries sustained.
If you get injured at work, you should notify your employer about the accident right away and see a doctor as soon as possible. Doing so can help you prevent a potential workers’ compensation claim denial, so you can receive the benefits you deserve.