New data from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry found that workers’ compensation claims were denied at a record-breaking percentage, even when COVID-19 claims were taken out of the equation.
The data corresponds to all Minnesota work injuries in 2021, which is the most recent year available since 2023 is not yet complete and the 2022 data has yet to be analyzed. Researchers at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry found that work injury claims were denied an astonishing 24 percent of the time in 2021, and that number jumped all the way up to 39 percent when looking just at COVID-19 claims.
In the 20 years prior to the pandemic, the highest annual rate of work injury claim denials was 17 percent. While it’s understandable that new COVID-19 presumptions and regulations could lead to some confusion over whether or not an insurance company could justify a claim denial, there’s no real explanation for why non-COVID injury claim denials jumped so starkly in 2021. In fact, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry did not provide an explanation as to why claim denials spiked so significantly in 2021, but they say it’s too early to suggest that this change represents a new trend.
“We will have to wait for more data in 2022 and 2023 before we can say this is a trend,” said DLI researcher Hared Mah.
If Your Injury Claim Is Denied
Regardless of why claims are being denied at an elevated rate, it’s clear that this uptick in denials is causing major headaches for thousands of Minnesotans who simply want to collect the financial compensation they are owed as a result of their on the job injury. If your claim has been denied, or you want to do everything you can to avoid a denial, you need to pick up the phone and connect with an injury firm like the team at Hey Workers.
Having a professional by your side can not only strengthen your case, but it can also send a message to the insurance company that you mean business. They aren’t going to be able to bully you or take advantage of you based on your inexperience with the workers’ compensation system. Connect with a lawyer, develop an airtight claim and let them advocate on your behalf. Not only can a lawyer help you avoid a denial, but research has shown that they can typically get you a much larger award than you would receive on your own. It’s a win-win.
If you are looking for a professional who can ensure that your rights are protected when filing a workers’ compensation claim, or if you’re just looking to learn more about the possibility of filing a claim, reach out to the team at Hey Workers. For more information, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.
