Workers compensation claim denied – reasons and next steps

Workers compensation Claim Denied – Reasons and Next Steps Employees involved in workplace injuries are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But not all claims are accepted. However, even if your workers' comp claim is denied, do not panic. You still have options. You can appeal the denial of your claim through the Industrial Commission of Arizona. To ensure your claim is not denied, let us look at the top reasons why a claim may be denied.

The reason for denial is usually described in the denial letter. The denial may be the result of an inability to meet the eligibility requirements, such as getting injured when you were away from work.

But you can appeal a denial if it is in error.

The common reasons for a workers' comp benefits denial include the following: Failure to Report Injury in Time Every state has laws to determine how soon you must report an injury to your supervisor or employer. The time frame is typically within a few days of injury.

Failure to File the Claim The State laws also include deadlines for filing an initial claim. This typically ranges from 30 to 90 days.

Employer denies Claim Your employer may deny the claim, stating the accident occurred outside work, was the result of horseplay, or some other disqualifying reason.

Injury cannot be Compensated Stress-related injuries and other some injuries may be difficult to prove in many states.

No Medical Treatment If you have not sought and received medical treatment. You may not be able to get work comp benefits.

Lack of Evidence If you cannot prove that the injury is work-related and /or it is not clear whether an injury is workrelated, your workers' comp claim may be denied.

What to do if your Work Comp Claim is denied?

Once you know the reason why your claim was denied, you can appeal the decision. The denial letter will provide a deadline for filing an appeal.

Remember that appealing is a complex legal process and it is best to have it handled by an experienced workers' comp attorney. There is documentation, medical records and evidence of the injury to take care of and your employer’s or the insurance company’s lawyer may ask you questions.

A hearing will be held before an administrative law judge.

If your claim has been denied, do not despair. Your denial can be successfully appealed in many cases, but it is advisable to have an experienced workers' compensation attorney on your side.

To learn more about workers’ compensation or to consult an experienced Phoenix workers comp attorney, call Arizona Injury Law Group at 602-346-9009. The workers’ compensation attorneys offer a no-obligation consultation so that you can get the benefits you deserve.