If you were injured on the job, you may be dealing with physical, emotional, and financial effects. From living with pain of the injury to dealing with the emotional toll of discomfort and increasing bills you cannot pay, it is easy to see the stress of workplace injuries. Worker's compensation benefits can help, but filing a claim and having it approved is not always an easy process. If you were recently denied benefits, help is available. This guide will give you a few steps to take if your worker's compensation claim was denied.
Contact a Lawyer
If you already have a lawyer, make sure to sit down with them to discuss the denial and the reasons for denial in detail. If you do not have a lawyer, hire one immediately.
Hiring workers compensation lawyers will help you in a few reasons. Not only will they be able to explain, in detail, why your claim was denied, but they will also be able to walk you through the process of appealing the denial. In addition, a lawyer will help you determine a realistic amount of money that will compensate you financially for your injuries. This compensation should not only cover your medical bills and time lost at work, but also cover emotional distress you are dealing with because of your injury.
To ensure your claim is addressed in the most effective manner possible, make sure to hire a lawyer that specializes in worker's compensation injuries.
Gather Your Documents
Once you have a meeting set up with an attorney, start organizing your documents. Your attorney will want to see a few important documents and evidence to support your injury and medical issues that have resulted from the injury.
A copy of the worker's compensation initial report showing you reported the injury to your employer is key. Without reporting your injury in a timely manner, your employer DOES have the right to deny your worker's compensation claim.
In addition to this report, your lawyer will want to see medical records showing your initial visit to the doctor, treatments, physical therapy, and prescriptions. Keeping proof of mileage and other expenses related to your care can also be helpful for determining an adequate compensation amount.
File the Appeal
The process of filing an appeal after a worker's comp claim denial will depend on your state, which is another reason why hiring an attorney is so important.
Your attorney will file the appeal in a timely and effective manner, increasing your chances of having your claim approved. This will help speed up the process so you can begin receiving the compensation you need.
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