Prevent your workers’ compensation claim from being denied

You hope that you are never injured on the job, but if this does happen, you need to know your legal rights. For many people, this means the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

While you hope that your claim is immediately approved, you know that this may not be the way things work out. You should do your best to prevent a denial, which starts with knowing which steps to take.

Here are some of the many things you can do:

Report your injury to your employer in a timely manner (ideally the same day that it happens)
File your claim in time, based on the workers’ compensation system in your state
Receive treatment from a qualified medical professional on the day of your injury
Collect information to back up your claim that you were injured on the job
Don’t give your employer a reason to dispute the claim, such as by saying that you were injured outside of work

While it may sound like a lot to take these steps after a workplace injury, you need to do so in order to protect your rights. Anything you can do to prevent a denial is a step you want to take.

If your claim is still denied, it’s time to learn more about the appeals process. This should be outlined in your denial letter, so make sure you read this in its entirety. By filing an appeal, you may find that you are able to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the near future, despite your earlier struggles.

Source: FindLaw, “Workers’ Comp Denied? Here Are Your Next Steps,” accessed Oct. 16, 2017