It can be surprisingly challenging to file a workers’ compensation claim. How can you focus on filling out paperwork when you’re potentially in pain or unable to move properly?
But you will want to be careful about filling out your forms because mistakes could lead to insurance denying your claim.
How can you avoid these mistakes and ensure your claim gets approved?
Pitfalls in filing workers comp claims
According to insurance experts, the following are some of the most common mistakes in filing workers’ compensation claims:
- Missing the deadline: Much like an auto or home insurance policy, where the policyholder has a limited time window to file a claim, a worker must also file their claim at once after the injury incident. You should promptly notify your employer of the injury to accomplish the claims forms quickly, considering that it could take your employer up to 24 hours from the incident to provide the documents.
- Employee did not seek immediate medical attention: You might think that if you got a minor injury at work, you could skip medical treatment and hope the injury heals on its own. If your condition worsens and only then do you decide to file a claim, insurers will likely turn it down.
- Failing to consider state-specific requirements: Each state has its own regulations when filing workers’ compensation claims. It’s up to employers to understand these specific requirements and communicate them to you and your co-workers.
- Unrelated to work: If your injury occurred outside of work, then it can’t be covered by workers’ compensation. This also means that the injury can’t be related to a pre-existing medical condition and that there must be witnesses who can confirm that the injury occurred in the middle of work.
- Out-of-network medical care: Workers’ compensation coverage typically requires workers to select from an insurer’s network of healthcare providers to receive treatment. If you decide to have your injuries treated by a non-network provider, the insurer might reject your claim.
Suppose you managed to avoid these mistakes, but the insurer still denies your claim. In that case, consider taking up the services of an attorney to help make your case, secure your claim and receive enough compensation to cover your injuries and treatment.