How to respond to a denied workers’ compensation claim

An injury or illness, resulting from your employment, should be faced with extreme care. In addition to your health and long-term well-being, you should also consider any financial compensation you’re entitled to.

When you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, it’s your hope that you receive a fast approval. This ensures that you begin to receive payments in the near future.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, as your employer and its workers’ compensation company may fight back.

Here’s what you should do if you receive a workers’ compensation denial letter:

• Review the letter: This is where you’ll find out why your claim was denied, as well as the next steps in the process. Furthermore, it will include information on the appeals process. This deserves your full attention, as you don’t want to give up here.
• Collect evidence to back up your claim: This goes along with knowing the reason for your denial. With this information, you can seek out evidence to back up your claim in an attempt to have the initial decision overturned. For example, if your employer argued that you were not injured at work, collect statements from coworkers who witnessed the accident.
• Hire an attorney: You’re not required by law to hire an attorney to file a workers’ compensation claim. Just the same, you don’t have to hire an attorney if you receive a denial letter. However, if you approach the process on your own, it’s easy for your employer and/or workers’ compensation company to take advantage of you. They’ll attempt to push you around. They’ll do whatever they can to make you go away without receiving the compensation you’re entitled to. This is where an attorney can help. They can review the details of your claim, provide guidance and communicate directly with the other party.

There’s no exact science to responding to a denied workers’ compensation claim, but don’t hesitate to take action. When you have a plan in place, it’s easier to protect your legal rights with the idea that you’ll eventually get all the money that’s owed to you. Giving up should never be an option.