If you are injured on the job, there is nothing more important than receiving immediate medical attention.
However, at some point, you need to think about the future. This means many things, including your finances.
If your injury makes it impossible to return to work, you’ll want to file a workers’ compensation claim. This will give you the money you need to get by until you can return to your job and once again earn your full paycheck.
Unfortunately, there is more to receiving workers’ compensation benefits than what you see on the surface. There are situations in which a claim is denied, meaning that you are faced with one of two scenarios:
- Move on without receiving workers’ compensation.
- File an appeal in the hope of having the decision overturned.
Most people decide to file an appeal, as they realize they deserve the benefits and are willing to fight for their rights.
Here are some of the most common reasons for a workers’ compensation claim denial:
- You did not report the injury in time. It doesn’t matter if you live in Ohio, Kentucky, or another state, you need to know the law with regard to how long you have to report your injury.
- You did not file a claim in time. Just as you need to report your injury in a timely manner, you must file your claim without delay. Waiting too long could disqualify you from receiving benefits.
- Employer dispute. This is unfortunate, but it happens all the time. In short, some employers make it a habit to dispute workers’ compensation claims, arguing that the injury was sustained outside of work.
- No medical treatment. If you want to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll need to receive immediate and thorough medical treatment. This is the only way to prove that you were injured and to get a better idea of how long you will be out of work.
While these are some of the more common reasons for a workers’ compensation claim denial, there are others that could come to light.
If you find yourself in this position, you should do the following:
- Learn why your claim was denied.
- File an appeal.
- Consult with an attorney who can help you fight for your rights.