When you applied for workers’ compensation after an injury, you hoped to rely on those benefits to support you and your family while you recovered. As a result, opening a denial letter can leave you uncertain about the future. Is there any way to push back against a claim denial and get the benefits you and your loved ones need?
First, read your denial letter carefully.
Your denial letter will contain more information than simply the notification that the insurance company denied your claim. It will also outline the reason for your claim denial and the process for challenging that decision.
Then, collect supporting evidence if needed.
Once you have carefully examined the reason for denial, you can collect additional information that supports your claim. For example, if the insurance provider claimed that your injury was not severe enough to merit benefits, you may want to provide additional support like a doctor’s statement, medical test results or other records. If your employer claims that your injury did not result from your work, on the other hand, you may want to reach out to anyone who witnessed your workplace accident to support your claim.
File a claim petition.
Filing a petition is the first step toward challenging your denial. This petition may lead to a workers’ compensation hearing with a workers’ compensation judge and a written decision; it may also involve a mediation session. If the workers’ compensation judge still denies your claim, you may be able to request that the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board overturn that decision.
While the workers’ compensation appeals process can be challenging, it is possible to push back against a denied claim and fight for the benefits you need.