If you sustained an injury at work, you might have already filed for a workers’ compensation claim. You’re likely relieved that your injury won’t cause you too much financial burden.
Workers’ compensation provides you with the benefits you need to recover from your injury as well as make up any lost wages while you are unable to work. But what happens if your workers’ compensation claim is denied?
The denial of workers’ compensation can be a devastating blow. It’s probably the last thing you expect. However, there are some common reasons for denial:
- You did not report your injury on time. In Virginia, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident.
- You did not file a claim on time. Virginia requires that you file a workers’ compensation claim within 2 years of the incident. If you waited too long, you might risk denial of the claim.
- Your injury did not happen at work. Workers’ compensation typically covers any accidents that occurred on-site during working hours or while fulfilling work-related tasks. If your accident occurred while you were running a personal errand on the way to work or during a lunch break, you might not qualify for workers’ compensation.
- You never received medical treatment. It’s important to receive medical care after your injury, not just for your own safety and health, but to back up a claim. If you denied any treatment, it might affect your chance at compensation.
- Your employer did not approve of the claim. Workers’ compensation claims may not receive approval if your employer believes the injury was the result of goofing around, did not happen at work, or other reasons.
If your workers’ compensation claim did not get approval, you might feel upset and hopeless. You might think there’s nothing that you can do to change the verdict. However, that’s not the case.
When a claim is denied, it’s crucial that you reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney right away. Attorneys with experience in appealing denied claims can advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from your workplace accident.
