Around the globe, there are over 2.3 million workers who suffer some work-related injury each year. In the United States, workers' compensation insurance covers the medical bills and other expenses from those injuries. If you intend to file this type of claim, it will help to know what might cause your CT workers' comp claim to be denied.
Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Laws
In Connecticut, it is mandatory for employers to pay for workers' compensation insurance. So even if the company hires just one worker, they still need a workers' compensation insurance policy.
However, having that insurance policy in place does not guarantee that it will pay out benefits. That is why it is essential to retain the services of an experienced CT workers compensation attorney who understands how workers' compensation insurance works. In addition, that attorney will understand all the filing requirements. That includes the collection of any evidence to support your claim.
5 Reasons CT For Workers’ Comp Claim Denial
These are the denial reasons you need to consider:
Missing the Deadline To File a Claim
One of the most frequent reasons why a CT workers' comp claim is denied is the failure to file that claim within the prescribed deadline. Connecticut's statute of limitations for filing a workers' compensation claim is one year. So the clock starts ticking on the day of the accident.
However, the sooner you file, the stronger your case might become.
You could also file a workers' compensation claim for occupational injury. An example is developing carpal tunnel syndrome (also referred to as a repetitive motion injury) on the job. The statute of limitations for that type of claim is three years from the first symptoms of the injury.
When an injury occurs on the job, it is vital to file a report about the accident immediately. That might be the most critical piece of evidence for your workers' compensation claim.
Failure To Meet Workers' Compensation Requirements
Workers' compensation insurance provides payments for injured workers, but that doesn't automatically mean the insurance carriers are eager to make those payments. They are very strict regarding the specific requirements for a workers' compensation claim.
For instance, there might be a specific list of medical professionals that you can see for your care. Those would be the healthcare professionals approved by the insurance carrier. Your CT workers' comp claim can be denied if you go outside that network.
Wrong Payment Amounts
Your employer will make calculations about payments for your benefits. If they get those numbers wrong, then your claim could be rejected. How could they get them wrong? Your employer does not have experience with these types of calculations. Those numbers are precise. Of course, an experienced workers' compensation attorney would know the correct numbers and can double-check the calculations before they go in for approval.
Minimizing Your Injuries
Your case will have a workers' compensation representative. Typically, this representative is someone in a management position at your workplace. That representative might minimize the extent of your injuries. They might even compel you to return to work before completely recovering from the injuries.
With your job at risk, it would be hard to stay home. But, ironically, your return to work can support the workers' compensation representative's claim that your injuries are "no big deal." Again, your attorney can act as an intermediary to avoid that situation.
Disputes Over the Place of the Injury
A workers' compensation claim can only relate to workplace injuries. Your injuries must occur at the job site and during working hours to qualify for a workers' compensation injury claim. Your workers' compensation representative might argue that the injury happened outside of work.
For instance, that representative could argue that if you golf or bowl, your back pain might be from those activities. Some workers' compensation representatives would ignore witness statements or even a doctor's testimony. But, again, your attorney can intervene and shut down that approach.
The End Result
The result of all these potential disputes can cause a delay in your benefits. There might be a need to file additional information about the claim. These delays can increase your financial burdens.
There might also be an outright denial of the benefits. However, denying a workers' compensation claim does not have to mean the end of the claim process. An appeal can help get the claim back on track and the benefits paid. An attorney's legal expertise can help navigate the appeal process for your rejected workers' compensation claim.
Brandon J. Broderick, CT Workers Compensation Lawyers
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to assisting clients throughout Connecticut with their workers’ compensation cases. We have years of experience and the extensive resources you need to secure a fair case result.
If you’ve been injured or your claim has recently been denied, contact us immediately for a free consultation to understand your options.