After a workplace injury, you probably have a lot to deal with. You may have to pay huge bills for your medical treatment, on top of not being able to work. A workers’ compensation claim could make things easier for you.
Your employer’s insurance company makes the first decision on whether they compensate you for your injury or not. You should know the reasons they might not accept your claim, and what you can do about it.
You waited too long to file it
In Minnesota, you are supposed to tell your employer about your injury in the first 14 days after it occurs. If you wait any longer, you might not receive all the benefits you need.
You can still file your claim anytime within 180 days of your injury–but the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced. If you are physically or mentally incapacitated after your injury, the 180 day time limit starts as soon as your incapacitation ends.
You made a mistake while filing
There is a lot of paperwork to fill out when you are reporting your injury. You will need to provide information about your treatment, medical history and how the injury occurred.
If you forget an important document or write down the wrong information, your employer may be able to deny your claim.
Your employer doesn’t think your work caused the injury
You know that your injury occurred because of your job. But your boss may not think so. They can deny your workers’ comp claim on the belief that your work didn’t cause your injury.
The reason your employer gives may be that your injury happened outside of work or that it was a pre-existing condition. Even if you have proof, your employer may deny responsibility for causing your injury.
The number of workers’ comp claims that get denied has risen by almost 20% in the last few years. Just because your employer denies your claim doesn’t mean that you are out of luck. You may be able to appeal the decision.
You’ll have to prove that your work caused your injury–while your employer will try to prove that it didn’t. All of this may be overwhelming when you are facing medical bills and missing work. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you with both your original claim and the appeal to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
