Almost every occupation entails some risk of injury, be it a back injury due to heavy lifting at a construction site or a repetitive stress injury common in an office environment. You might spend little time worrying about the possibility of an injury, however, if you are familiar with your workers’ compensation benefits.
You might find yourself in a physically and financially difficult situation if your employer denies your workers’ compensation claim after an injury, though. You can mitigate this risk by learning more about why an employer might deny a claim and taking the correct action ahead of time.
1. Late reporting or filing
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry explains that an employee should give notice of an injury within 21 days of the event. Failure to provide notice within 120 days can result in a complete loss of worker’s compensation for that injury.
2. Insufficient documentation
When filing a claim, it is important to include documentation establishing that your injury is the result of work-related activities. You should also confirm that your claim does not contain any false or misleading information.
3. Lack of medical records
Seeking medical treatment for your work-related injury is often a requirement for receiving workers’ compensation. Similarly, you should provide medical records from your visits that explain the nature of the injury and the treatment administered, as well as confirm that the injury is not the result of a pre-existing condition.
There are valid reasons that an employer might deny your workers’ compensation claim, but you can address these by following the best practices after sustaining an injury. If you feel that your employer is wrongfully denying your claim, you have the option to pursue legal action.