As a Kansas employee injured at work, you know how important it is to secure financial help as soon as possible after an accident. In most cases, injured workers can seek this financial support through a workers’ compensation claim. However, it can be extremely difficult to actually secure these benefits, and you may be frustrated to learn that your claim came back denied.
As frustrating and overwhelming as it can be to learn that you must wait even longer for the benefits you deserve, you can still continue to fight. A denied claim is not the end of the road for you, but you may seek to reach a positive outcome to your situation by filing an appeal.
What should I do next?
Receiving a notice of a denied claim is an unnerving moment. That letter will likely include a reason for the denial. No matter how valid your claim is, the fact is, insurance companies frequently deny claims for what may seem like a minor reason. Some of the most common of these include:
- Employer disputed the claim
- Too much time passed before claim was filed
- Not enough evidence that injury is work related
- Injury is not valid for compensation
- Too much time passed before injury was reported
- No evidence that injury required medical treatment
Once you identify the reason, you may determine if it is appropriate to move forward with an appeal. Whether there was a mistake in the application or you have additional evidence to include, you may continue to fight for the support you need to cover treatment, lost wages and other financial losses.
What does workers’ compensation insurance cover?
The intent of workers’ compensation is to help workers who suffered an injury on the job or who became ill due to their jobs. Employees may have a valid claim to benefits for the following work-related issues:
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Occupational illnesses
- Back, shoulder and neck injuries
- Chemical burns
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
From going to the right doctor to navigating the appeals process, the workers’ compensation system is complex and difficult to understand. If you believe that you have a claim, you would be wise to take action to protect your interests as soon as possible after a work accident. You have the right to medical care, compensation for certain losses and more. However, no matter what your circumstances may be, you always have the right to fully understand your legal options.