After a serious work-related injury, it can feel comforting to know your employer has workers’ compensation insurance as required by Rhode Island law. But if you assume your employer will be there for you if you get hurt at work, you might have to think again.
Unfortunately, workers’ comp claims routinely get delayed by months or outright denied. Some claims are rightfully rejected or subject to a lengthy investigation. But the fact that your employer has turned down your claim or is dragging out the process does not mean you don’t deserve workers’ comp benefits. Claims get denied for a number of reasons that have little or nothing to do with how strong your claim is.
Possible reasons your claim was denied
For example, there could be errors in your application. Specifically, you could have forgotten to include key details of your medical chart that help show a clear connection between your diagnosis and your work duties. Or errors in the filing process could make your claim appear shakier than it really is.
Don’t give up after a rejected work injury claim
Such errors can cause your claim to fail. Fortunately, that does not mean you definitely won’t get approved for workers’ comp while you are laid up and unable to work. Injured and sickened Rhode Island workers have the right to appeal a rejected workers’ comp claim or a lowball settlement offer. Many appeals are successful, allowing the worker to focus on healing instead of worrying about how they will afford housing, food and other necessities.
The appeals process can be complicated, and there is a time limit on filing an appeal. If your workers’ comp application has been turned down, consider speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible.