Denied Workers Comp Claims: A Quick Overview
It may not be easy finding a workers compensation lawyer Woodland Hills CA residents trust, but if your initial claim has been denied, the counsel of an experienced lawyer could be invaluable. Workers compensation claims can be stressful — and if your claim is denied, it can make the process even more frustrating.
One reason to contact a workers compensation lawyer Woodland Hills CA can provide is because you have submitted a workers compensation claim but it was initially denied. Many of these claims are denied each year but an initial denial doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot recover any compensation at all. Here’s a quick look at what a denied claim might entail and why a workers compensation lawyer Woodland Hills CA has to offer might be able to help.
Denied Workers Compensation Claims: Why Does It Happen?
It’s possible for a legitimate injury claim to be denied, as an experienced workers compensation lawyer Woodland Hills CA provides might attest. One of the most common reasons for claims to be denied is simply because they were not submitted within a certain time frame or by a certain deadline. Another possible reason for a claim being denied is that the employer disputes the claim.
Liability Issues in Workers Compensation Claims
The issue with proving liability for a workers compensation claim, as a seasoned workers compensation lawyer in Woodland Hills CA might explain, is proving that the injury/illness is directly related to job duties and/or occurred in the workplace.
Quite simply, employees should keep in mind that some insurance companies (and also some employers) might look out for the well-being of the company before the well-being of injured claimants. A workers compensation claim that is accepted could be very costly for both the insurer and the employer.
What To Do After a Claim Denial
If your claim has been denied, you might wish to file an appeal. Occasionally workers compensation claims are denied to an error in paperwork and these mistakes could be fixed through an appeals process. An appeal is more likely to be accepted if the insurer or employer was responsible for the mistake.
For other claim denials that cannot be fixed quite so easily, the claimant will usually have to attend an administrative hearing through the state’s department of labor or board of workers compensation. After a hearing, a claimant might be asked to submit additional evidence for the injury. Each state typically has its own process for how a workers compensation appeal is processed, so it’s important to stay mindful of the regulations and time restrictions in your state.
If you’ve submitted a claim that has been denied, you might wish to seek legal counsel from a Woodland Hills CA workers compensation lawyer. Workers compensation cases can be difficult — but an initial denial doesn’t necessarily mean that compensation is out of the question. To schedule a free case evaluation with a workers compensation lawyer Woodland Hills CA residents trust, contact an attorney today.