Employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to protect their workers if they get hurt on the job. However, that does not mean that employers always pay out their workers’ claims. In fact, they sometimes deny these claims. If your employer recently denied your workers’ compensation claim, you likely feel frustrated and want answers.
Here are a few reasons why an employer may deny your workers’ comp claim.
You Did not Get Sustain an Injury at Work
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must have sustained your injury while working. If your employer has reason to believe that you suffered the injury outside of work, they may reject your workers’ compensation claim. However, you don’t necessarily have to be at your physical workplace to obtain benefits. As long as you were performing work duties, you may be eligible for compensation. For instance, if you were running errands for your boss and got into a car accident, you may still be entitled to benefits.
Your Employer Thinks That the Accident Was Your Fault
Sometimes employers may try to deny a workers’ compensation claim if they believe the worker is to blame for the accident. However, fault is not a factor considered in workers’ compensation claims. If you were being careless when the accident occurred, you may still be eligible for compensation. On the other hand, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, your claim may be denied.
You Did not Tell Your Employer About Your Injury Soon Enough
You have a limited amount of time to inform your employer about your injury. In Tennessee, the deadline to report a work injury is just 15 days. If you try to report your injury once that deadline has passed, you may be denied workers’ compensation benefits. That is why you should tell your employer about your injury as soon as possible.
You Did not Seek Prompt Medical Treatment
Injured workers must also seek medical treatment to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Employers may also choose the doctor their workers can see. If you do not get examined by your employer’s preferred doctor right away, your benefits may get denied.
You Had a Pre-existing Condition
If you have a pre-existing condition, your employer may deny your claim for your current injury. However, just because you have a pre-existing condition, does not mean that you can’t qualify for benefits. If your pre-existing condition is aggravated by your work injury, you may still be entitled to receive workers’ compensation.
Consulting a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If your employer has recently denied your claim, you do not have to give up. If you believe your employer is in the wrong, you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer, like one from Darrell Castle & Associates. A lawyer can help you file an appeal and make sure that your legal rights are protected.