Most workers in Georgia are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they are hurt on the job. An accident or illness at work can seriously affect your day-to-day activities, family life, finances, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life – often for lengthy periods. Therefore, workers’ compensation benefits are a vital safety net for injured employees. But what happens if the insurance company denies your claim?
This guide provides advice about the most common reasons why workers’ compensation claims are denied and what a Carrollton denied claims attorney can do to help you fight for the benefits you deserve.
What Can I Do to Prevent a Denied Workers’ Comp Claim?
If you are injured at work, you can take a few steps to protect your right to pursue benefits.
First, report the accident immediately to your employer. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), you must report your accident within 30 days, or you risk losing your right to benefits.
Second, seek emergency medical treatment. Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, you should still make an appointment with a doctor approved by your employer. Some injuries are not immediately noticeable, and a doctor can ensure you don’t develop complications. Seeking medical care will create an important paper trail linking your work accident to your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a denied claims lawyer serving Carrollton, call (404) 888-8888
Why Did the Insurance Company Deny My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Workers’ compensation insurance companies may deny claims for several reasons. Here are just a few possibilities:
The Insurance Company or Your Employer Disputes Your Claim
The insurer may argue that your injury is not work-related, your illness resulted from a pre-existing health condition, or that you caused the accident.
Georgia follows a no-fault statutory system. This means you can seek workers’ compensation benefits for your injuries regardless of whether you contributed to them. However, there is an exception for willful misconduct (for example, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or did not follow proper safety procedures).
If you believe the insurance company denied your claim unfairly, a Carrollton denied claims lawyer can help you appeal the decision. We will help you to complete the necessary paperwork, gather the required evidence, and prepare you for the appeal. This way, you are fully aware of your rights and understand what to expect from the legal process at every step.
The Insurer Blames Your Injury or Illness on a Pre-Existing Health Condition
The insurance company may claim that the medical evidence you provided is insufficient to establish your workers’ compensation eligibility or that your injury or illness is due to a pre-existing health condition.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, workers’ compensation benefits should still pay if your job worsened your pre-existing injury or illness. Our Carrollton denied workers’ comp claims attorneys will walk you through your options for recovering benefits and help you gather the evidence required to build a strong case.
Clerical Errors and Missed Deadlines
Simple mistakes can result in the insurance company denying your claim. For example, the insurance company may claim you didn’t report your injury or file your paperwork on time.
When filing your accident report, be sure to provide as much detail as possible about the time and date of the injury and how it occurred. Supporting documentation can include:
- Medical reports related to your injury
- Receipts for your medical treatment
- Wage or salary statements
- Records of dates and travel expenses to attend medical appointments
If the insurance company denied your claim, your Carrollton denied claims attorney can help you understand why. In addition, we will check for any omissions or mistakes made during your application for workers’ compensation to ensure we process your appeal correctly.
Carrollton Denied Claims Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Can Be Complex
You have the right to appeal if you have problems getting your claim approved. However, the process can be complex. The rules that apply to the appeals process can be technical and can involve several stages, including:
- Mediation
- Hearing
- Appellate review
- Georgia Court of Appeals
The denied claims lawyers in our Carrollton office can help determine if an appeal is the best course of action for you. If we can help, we will help you gather everything you need to file an appeal.
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Compensable Damages Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws
A denied claims attorney serving Carrollton can help you appeal a decision and fight for the benefits you and your family deserve, such as:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Permanent or partial disability
- Travel expenses for medical appointments
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits in the event of a fatal work-related accident or illness
Further, we provide our legal services on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we never ask our clients to pay any up-front costs and only recover our fees and expenses when we recover benefits on your behalf.
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What Our Clients Say About Our Carrollton Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
We are proud of the work we do for everyone we represent as workers’ compensation lawyers and the positive effects of our hard work. However, we also know how important it is to choose the best law firm to help you with your case.
As such, we would like you to hear what our clients say about our legal services in their own words to give you an idea of what we can do for you, too. Please visit our testimonials page to hear some of our clients’ stories.
When the Insurance Company Denies Your Workers’ Comp Claim, We Will Fight for You
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, we want you to focus fully on your recovery after being injured at work without the worry and stress of paying medical bills, supporting your family, and meeting other financial obligations.
With a sole focus on personal injury and workers’ compensation law, we have the resources, knowledge, and experience to help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Our service commitment to our clients’ well-being means we continually strive to provide quality, personalized legal services that get results. If the insurance company denied your workers’ compensation claim, learn more about your legal options by contacting our team for a free consultation today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
