Workers' Compensation Denial & What You Can Do
If you have received a denial letter for your workers' compensation claim, it could be for several different reasons. Your employer may deny responsibility for your injury, the insurance company may suspect you have a pre-existing condition, or it may be a simple error with your paperwork. Whatever the reason, if you have been injured at work, you may be able to appeal the denial.
It's not uncommon for workers' compensation claims to be denied. This is where a workers' comp lawyer can help. You are entitled to workers' compensation benefits when your work duties result in an injury or illness, or aggravate a previous ailment. Benefits include medical bills and lost wages. Contact a work injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for help appealing your denied claim.
Types of Workers' Compensation Injuries
Our workers' compensation lawyers represent employees who have suffered all types of job-related injuries and illnesses. We routinely handle cases involving:
- Slips and Falls
- Power Line Injuries
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Toxic Exposure
- Asbestos Exposure
- Chlorine Gas Poisoning
- Burn Injuries
Under Pennsylvania law, you have 120 days to notify your employer of your job-related injury. We can help you provide this notice so that you do not lose your right to workers' compensation benefits.
These cases can be difficult to navigate, especially if you have to file an appeal. Employers and insurance companies often have teams of high-paid lawyers who are fighting to keep them from paying out claims like this. So, it's important you have a lawyer on your side who will fight for you.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we've been representing the hard workers of Northeastern Pennsylvania for more than 60 years. We have success winning compensation for workers in various industries who have been injured while on the job. Hire an experienced workers comp attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, and we'll make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your physical injuries, pain and suffering, and beyond.
Top Reasons a Workers Comp Claim is Denied
When dealing with a workplace injury, it's important you are as thorough as possible in both reporting the injury and seeking treatment. Employers, particularly if you work for a big corporation, as well as insurance companies, have lawyers on their side looking for every loophole to keep them from paying.
Unfortunately, your insurance company does have reasons they are allowed to deny your claims. Even more reason for you to make sure you have a good lawyer to guide you through the appeals process.
The most common reasons for a workers compensation denial are:
- Your employer contests the validity of your claim or severity of your work-related injury
- You entered inaccurate information in the incident report
- You filed the application after the 120-day window
- You or your injury isn't covered by the employer's workers' comp insurance coverage
- Your employer insists your injury happened outside of work
- Your employer accuses you of using illegal substances while at work
How to Appeal a Workers Comp Denial
If your workers compensation claim has been denied by your insurance company, you still have options. But you will need an experienced lawyer by your side to help you navigate the process.
The denial letter you received should have also come with a date by which your appeal must be submitted. The first step should be reaching out to your employer and/or insurance agency to verify the denial is true on the off-chance it could have been a clerical error from the doctor. If it was real, your lawyer will help you prepare for your appeal.
A workers comp appeal varies by state and also by specifics of each injury. To appeal your workers comp denial could mean everything from resubmitting all of your medical paperwork to a hearing with an administrative body. You might also need to show time cards or other proof you were working at the time of the incident. If you had witnesses who saw your accident, your lawyer may want to interview them to confirm details of the case.
In some cases, you'll even want to re-seek medical treatment, especially if the injuries sustained in your workplace accident are getting worse. With so many steps, it's important to have a lawyer who is aware of the specific laws in your state.
Hire an Experienced Workers' Comp Appeals Lawyer
If you suffer an injury while performing your job duties, only to be denied your claim by insurance, you need a lawyer who will fight for you. A work accident wreaks havoc on your livelihood, including lost wages and time and any medical attention you'll require.
The workman's compensation attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will fight to ensure you have everything you need to appeal your workers comp denial claim. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we believe that cost should not stand in the way of justice for the injured. Therefore, we do not collect a fee for our services unless we recover benefits for you. As our client, you will not have to pay anything up front or out of your own pocket.
Chat, email, or call us today to arrange a free consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer.
