You apply for workers’ compensation benefits because you’ve suffered an injury at your place of employment. You assume that your claim is straightforward and that you’ll begin to receive benefits soon.

But then something goes wrong. You receive a workers’ compensation denial letter in the mail. If this occurs, review the letter from beginning to end to better understand what happened and the steps you can take to file an appeal.

Some of the most common reasons for a workers’ compensation denial include:

  • No medical treatment: You’re required to obtain medical treatment if you want to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You’ll want to do this as quickly after the injury as possible.
  • Did not report the injury in time: Don’t wait to report your injury to your employer, but instead, attempt to do this right after the incident.
  • Did not file your claim in time: You don’t have an infinite period to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Take action as soon as you know you won’t be able to return to work.
  • Employer disputes your claim: Your employer may not want to pay out workers’ compensation, as it’ll impact them financially. This could lead them to argue that you weren’t injured at work, meaning you shouldn’t qualify for benefits.

Don’t let a workers’ compensation denial letter get in your way. You pay into the workers’ compensation system and deserve to receive benefits if you’ve suffered a workplace injury. Don’t hesitate to file an appeal with the idea of protecting your legal rights and having the original decision overturned.