Call Now • Open 24/7My Workers Compensation Claim Was Denied. What Can I Do?
If you’ve recently suffered an injury at work, you may be dismayed to receive a notice of denial from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer informing you that no payment will be forthcoming — especially if the medical bills have already begun to pile up. Fortunately, you have a few options that may improve your chances of a successful appeal. Read on to learn more about your options if your workers’ comp claim is denied.
Determine the cause
The first step in fighting a workers’ comp denial is figuring out precisely why your claim was denied. In many cases, it may be due to a procedural issue that can be resolved relatively easily. For example, if your claim was denied because you didn’t report your injury to your employer in time, you may be able to easily overturn this on review by showing evidence (like text messages or an email) that you reported your injury within the required timeframe but your employer just didn’t get this information to the insurance carrier promptly.
Request a review
Every state has specific procedures to request a formal review of your claim with the state workers’ compensation board — but in many cases, you’ll be able to obtain a more informal review just by appealing your denial with the insurance carrier itself. You may be able to figure out your employer’s insurer’s appeal procedures by visiting its website; if not, a phone call to the number that should have been listed on your denial letter can get the information you need.
Seek legal advice
If you’re certain you have a valid workers’ comp claim but are getting nowhere on your own, a consultation with an attorney may be able to point you in the right direction. Often, a stubborn workers’ comp insurer just needs a gentle nudge from someone well-versed in your state’s workers’ compensation laws to encourage settlement of your claim. An attorney can also give you information on the evidence you’ll need to retain and the actions you’ll need to take now to preserve your claim and maximize your odds of success.
If you’re looking for a qualified personal injury attorney, contact Welcenbach Law Offices today.
Author Bio
Robert Welcenbach is an Owner and Partner at Welcenbach Injury Law, a family-owned personal injury law firm in Milwaukee, WI. With more than 24 years of experience practicing law, he seeks justice for clients in a wide range of legal areas, including car accidents, class actions, dog bites, nursing home abuse, and other personal injury matters.
Robert received his Juris Doctor from the Marquette University Law School and is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being nominated and selected as a Milwaukee Personal Injury and Class Action Super Lawyer every year since 2008.