When you need workers’ compensation benefits, you do not have time to lose. A work injury can leave you on the sidelines for weeks or months, unable to work and get a paycheck. If you suffered an injury at work or you became ill because of a toxic work environment, you could have grounds to pursue benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
You may be certain you have a valid claim, which is why it could be very surprising if your claim came back denied. While this is frustrating, it is not the end of the road for you. There are other steps you can take to rectify any problems with your claim or mistake in your application, continuing your pursuit of the benefits you need and deserve.
What’s next?
If your claim came back denied, the first thing you will want to do is determine why. The insurance company will typically include this reason in the letter sent to you. Some of the most common reasons to deny a workers’ comp claim include the following:
- You did not file your claim in the required amount of time.
- Your employer is disputing your claim.
- It is not clear your injury required medical attention.
- It is not evident your injury is compensable.
- You did not include enough evidence to prove your injury is work related.
- You did not report your injury within the required amount of time.
You have the right to keep seeking the benefits you need. Once you understand why your claim was not successful, you can move forward with correcting mistakes, gathering new documentation and taking steps to appeal. The appeals process can be complex, and it’s useful to work with a knowledgeable Minnesota legal professional at every step.
Start here
You will benefit from having help with your claim from the initial steps in the process. From completing your claim to preparing an appeal, you will want to work with someone with knowledge of the process who can advocate for your rights and help you maximize the specific benefits available to you. Starting with an assessment of your case after a work injury or onset of an occupational illness, it is helpful to begin by learning about the legal options available to you.
