Every job has its risks. Construction workers can be injured by faulty scaffolding, warehouse workers may be hurt when lifting heavy objects, and even office workers can be injured when running errands. Regardless of how an individual is injured, if the accident happened at work, then workers’ compensation benefits may be available. This is no small thing, as workers’ compensation benefits can help an injured worker recoup medical expenses and lost wages incurred while he or she in unable to work.
However, workers’ compensation claims are not automatically granted. In fact, many initial claims are denied for a variety of reasons. For example, Connecticut law sets out the timeframe within which a workplace injury must be reported in order to qualify for workers’ compensation. A claim can be denied if it is reported too late. A claim can also be challenged when an employer alleges the injury was suffered outside of work.
But this isn’t even the complete list of ways that claims can be denied. Injuries that don’t result in any medical expenses or financial loss generally cannot be covered by workers’ compensation. An injured worker typically must seek medical treatment before a claim can succeed.
What does this mean for the average worker? It means that if he or she is injured on the job, then he or she needs to make sure to file a thorough, well-prepared claim in a timely manner. Those who don’t know how to do this, as well as those who need help appealing a claim denial, may want to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney.
Source: FindLaw, “Workers’ Comp Denied? Here Are Your Next Steps,” accessed on Sept. 26, 2016
