Common Issues Associated with Workers’ Compensation Claims

Common Issues Associated with Workers’ Compensation Claims Image

Are you looking for more information about workers’ compensation claims? Perhaps you are an employee who has lost an income due to sustaining an injury at work, and you want to file a claim? You are about to learn a thing or two about common issues associated with filing workers’ compensation claims.

What is a workers’ compensation claim?

Workers’ compensation or workers’ comp is insurance that compensates employees. It provides you with replacement and medical benefits. For example, let’s say you get an injury while at work. You can enlist the help of an Oklahoma workers compensation attorney to help you file a claim. Your employer, in turn, will file a worker’s comp to pay you for your injury. Usually, your employer should submit the claim form and all supporting documentation, including a medical report.

But that doesn’t mean everything will go smoothly. Your claim might be rejected by the insurer.  Usually, this will happen due to one of these reasons:

  • You don’t have any medical report that supports your claim.
  • No one witnessed your injury. Therefore, you have no witnesses.
  • You have a chronic illness that increases your chances of being injured at work.
  • You didn’t notify your employer immediately.
  • You did not sign medical authorization forms.

In a situation where an insurer denies your workers’ comp insurer, Oklahoma workers compensation lawyers can help you file a formal appeal.

Let’s examine some common issues associated with workers’ compensation:

  1. Late filing 

Untimely filing is one of the reasons insurers reject most workers’ compensation claims. When you get injured at work, you must file a claim within 30 days. At the same time, you need to ensure that you inform your employer in writing. Your employer will give you a form to fill out in most cases. Don’t delay filling out the paperwork and ensure all details on the paper are accurate. If you seek the help of a law firm like Burton Law Group, they are one call away. They will make sure that all the necessary paperwork is correct. Also, they help you file your claim timely.

  1. Using the wrong doctor 

Like most ordinary workers, it’s nearly impossible to know which doctor to use. There are specific doctors that can help you get a medical report that supports your injuries. Your insurer should be able to confirm the right doctor you should consult. Typically, they will have a list of doctors that they expect everyone to use.

Once you get the medical report, send it to your attorney to look at it before filing a claim. Remember, it’s always advisable that you are truthful throughout the process. Exaggerating your injuries will only make it impossible for the attorney to help you win your compensation claim. You are unsure which doctor to use don’t fret. An Oklahoma City workers compensation lawyer can request the list of all the doctors from the insurer on your behalf.

  1. Your employer’s retaliation 

Your employer may retaliate because you filed a claim against his company. Some employers may even decide to demote you, deny you a promotion, pay you less than you deserve, or even harass you. But retaliation of any sort is not permissible in the United States. If you find yourself in that situation, consult workers comp injury attorneys immediately.

  1. An insurer may deny your claim

One of the most terrible things you can face is having your compensation claim denied by your insurer. You might be severely injured and without an income. Or even worse, you might be incapacitated for life. So, when an insurer denies your claim, you will have no choice but to cover all the treatment costs. But there is a worker’s comp attorney help claim for you. An attorney would look at your claim to confirm if the insurer wrongly denied you. If this is the case, an attorney will file a lawsuit for you.

Final Thoughts

Filing for a compensation claim can be challenging, especially if your employer is unwilling to compensate you for an injury. Whether your employer retaliates by mistreating you at work or an insurer rejects your claim unfairly, as these can be common issues, you’d always need an Oklahoma City workers compensation lawyer by your side. Attorneys will assess the merits of your case and help you refile your claim properly. They will also represent you at Oklahoma workers compensation court and argue your case. Lawyers are well-versed with all the laws governing workers compensation Oklahoma.

Are you looking for Oklahoma City workers compensation lawyers? Give us a call today!