If you’ve filed for workers’ compensation for a neck injury and had your claim denied, you’re probably wondering what you should do next. You’re not alone, because neck injury claims are one of the most commonly denied injuries by insurance companies. But why is this the case, and what should you do after your claim is denied? We answer those questions below.
Why Was My Neck Injury Claim Denied?
Neck injury claims often get denied because it can be tough to prove to what extent they exist, or if they exist at all. For example, if you fall at work and break a bone in your ankle, that injury will be very evident on a standard x-ray. However, neck injuries that result in denials usually don’t have such clear evidence. There are many soft tissues and nerves in the neck, and pressure or trauma to these tissues can be difficult to diagnose.
Another common reason why neck injuries get denied is because they may not appear right away. Neck pain doesn’t always manifest right after an injury, so you might attribute the injury to something other than your work duties, like a poor sleeping position. By the time you pinpoint the root cause of your injury, your employer’s insurance company my deny the claim saying that another activity caused the pain.
Finally, some neck injuries occur over time. What you may claim is a cumulative trauma injury, the insurance company may see as a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies are not likely to give you the benefit of the doubt, so if they have questions about your neck injury, they are going to side with their own interests and deny your claim.
Getting Compensation For a Neck Injury
If you have suffered a neck injury in the workplace, one of the first things you should do is contact a workers’ compensation lawyer. They’ll begin by helping you choose a physician who will provide you with a thorough diagnostic exam to ensure all problems and underlying issues are identified so you can improve the validity of your claim.
Next, they’ll begin planning your case, which involves gathering witness statements, relying on expert medical testimony and painting a clear picture of the injury you suffered on the job. They’ll fight back against the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.
Whether you hire us at the outset, or if you decide that you need professional assistance after your initial claim was denied, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced lawyers at Hey Workers. We’ve won countless neck injury awards for our clients, and we can do the same for you. Neck injuries can linger and affect your quality of life for a long time, so make sure you maximize your compensation award, and the best way to do that is with professional representation. For more information or to talk your case over with an attorney, reach out to Hey Workers at (844) 439-9675.
