5 Reasons Your Workers Compensation Claim Was Denied

Workers compensation benefits can provide financial security at a time of physical and emotional stress. However, if your claim is denied, it can cause you additional worry. Here are a few reasons why your worker’s compensation claim may be denied and what you can do to help get it approved.

Reasons for Worker’s Compensation Claim Denial

1. Your injury isn’t work-related.

   In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, your injury must occur while you’re at work. If you’re on a break or commuting when it occurs, your claim likely won’t be approved. The claim could be approved if you’re on a work assignment or at an event, but it will be harder to prove. Workers’ compensation will also not be provided if the injury is a result of misconduct or horseplay. It’s important to gather as much evidence as possible to prove your injury occurred on the clock.

2. You missed a deadline.

   There are several deadlines to meet when filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you don’t report the injury right away, your employer won’t know to file an accident report. When an accident report isn’t filed, it’s easier for companies to claim the injury didn’t occur. An additional workers’ compensation claim is required to be filed in court. Missouri law says this claim must be filed within two years of the injury. Missing this deadline means your claim probably won’t be approved.

3. You weren’t treated by an approved physician.

   Seeing a doctor is a crucial step in securing your benefits. Your company’s insurance policy might provide you with a specific list of medical providers to receive treatment for a work-related injury. You might not be approved if you see a doctor outside of this list. Similarly, there’s a chance you’re denied if you don’t seek treatment at all. Medical evidence is required to prove you received the injury at work. If you don’t have any records of seeing a doctor, your company could claim the injury never even happened.

4. Your claim didn’t meet state guidelines.

   Missouri has strict guidelines for work-related injuries. There could be restrictions on receiving benefits for trauma or other psychological conditions. Pre-existing conditions might go against state guidelines for providing benefits.

5. You didn’t have an attorney.

   While it’s not required to hire an attorney for your workers’ compensation claim, having an experienced lawyer on your team will increase your chances of approval. A workers’ comp attorney will be able to walk you through all the steps of a workers’ compensation claim, compile documentation, and argue on your behalf to get you the benefits you deserve.

Successful Worker’s Compensation Legal Services

The attorneys at Lanzotti & Rau have been successfully handling personal injury cases in Southeastern Missouri for decades. We’ve seen all sorts of workplace injuries and are ready to get justice for you. If you’re ready to pursue legal action to receive compensation for your on-the-job injury, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case evaluation.