Workers are a protected class in the United States, so when one of them is injured on the job, you would think it would be relatively easy for that injured employee to collect fair and full compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, due to the money involved and the complex nature of workers’ compensation law, it is rarely a simple process. Also, workers’ compensation insurance providers want to protect their bottom line, so oftentimes they want to minimize your claim or even deny it altogether in the hopes that you’ll just drop the claim. Don’t give up on your right to compensation just because your initial claim was denied. In today’s blog, we share some tips for countering some of the most common reasons for workers’ compensation claim denials in Minnesota.
Common Reasons For A Work Injury Claim Denial
Before we look at some of the best ways to counter a claim denial, let’s explore some of the most common reasons why your claim would be denied in the first place:
Failure To Report – If you waited too long to report the initial injury to your employer, you may be out of the window to qualify for a claim. In Minnesota, you need to inform your employer of your injuries within 14 days of the accident that caused them.
Statute Of Limitations – You may have informed your employer about your injuries, but if you waited months or even years to move forward with a claim, you may no longer be eligible for compensation.
No Evidence Of A Work-Related Injury – The insurance company may deny your claim because they have reason to believe that your injuries did not occur during the course of your work duties. If they suspect that you were actually injured outside of work and are attempting to collect workers’ compensation, they may deny your claim.
Discrepancies – If there are discrepancies or inconsistencies between your claim, the accident report and your medical evaluation, the insurance company may deny your claim until additional information can prove your claim is legitimate.
Incomplete Claim – It’s also possible that your claim was denied because you failed to include all the necessary paperwork or information. If parts of your claim are missing or incomplete, the insurance company may deny it.
These are just a few of the reasons why a legitimate claim may otherwise be denied. There are other reasons why a claim may be denied (intentional injuries, intoxicated at the time of accident, etc), but those reasons can lead to a rightful denial of your claim. The above reasons are common reasons that valid claims end up being denied. So that’s the best way to counter these common reasons for denial?
The single best way that you can avoid all of these reasons for denial is by hiring a lawyer to assist with your case. They know how to ensure that the relevant parties are informed, they know the deadlines that need to be met, and they know how to develop an airtight claim to ensure there is no doubt about the legitimacy of your claim. We’ve helped countless clients get the compensation they deserve after an on the job accident, and we can do the same for you.
Other ways you can work to reduce your likelihood of a claim denial include:
- Reporting your injuries right away.
- Getting a comprehensive medical evaluation shortly after your accident.
- Keeping clear records of conversations or appointments related to your injuries.
- Regularly communicating with your lawyer in the event they have questions about the accident or injuries, including any changes to your health.
- Write down what happened in your own words so that you always have access to the small details about your cases, as it can be easy to forget key details as time passes.
If you do all of the above and you trust your injury case to an experienced law firm like the team at Hey Workers, we’re confident that you will be able to overcome a claim denial or earn compensation after your initial claim. For more information, or for help with a work or personal injury claim, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
