Getting hurt while at work can be a heavy burden on a Pennsylvanian. Not only must the victim cope with the pain and suffering of their physical harm but they must also deal with losing income from missing time on the job. For many men and women who find themselves in this situation, workers’ compensation can help.
Workers’ compensation is form of insurance that some employers are required to carry to compensate employees who get hurt or sick while doing their jobs. However, just because an employer has workers’ compensation insurance does not mean that a hurt or sick worker will get the financial help they deserve. Many workers’ compensation claims are denied and leave workers struggling to make ends meet.
Why are workers’ compensation claims denied?
There are many grounds on which workers’ compensation claim denials are based. Some of those grounds include the following:
- Timing issues: Claims that are not filed in time, or workers who fail to report their injuries or illnesses to their employers in a timely manner, may have their claims denied
- Treatment deficiencies: A worker whose harm does not require medical treatment may have their claim for workers’ compensation denied
- Not related to work: An employer may allege that a worker’s harm was suffered away from work or as a result of rough-housing and not due to job-related duties
When a claim for workers’ compensation is denied, a suffering worker may not know what to do next.
Next steps after a claim denial
Workers should know that there is a review process in place when their workers’ compensation claims are rejected. They can contact workers’ compensation attorneys for guidance and advocacy on their specific claim needs. This post does not provide any legal advice or counsel. All information contained herein should be discussed with a knowledgeable legal professional.