Suffering an injury while on the job can disrupt a Pennsylvania worker’s life, either temporarily or permanently. Most people are not financially equipped to be out of work for a significant amount of time while receiving medical attention for an injury. If that injury occurred at work, the filing of a workers’ compensation claim only makes sense.
However, not every claim comes back approved. If an injured worker receives a denial, it would be hard not to panic and begin thinking the worst. Fortunately, there is an appeals process, but first, it is important to understand why the claim was denied.
Every state, including Pennsylvania, has laws governing work-related injury claims, and one of those rules involves timing. An injured employee must meet statutory deadlines for reporting the injury to his or her employer and for filing a claim. Failing to meet either of these deadlines could result in a denial.
If the individual failed to seek medical attention when the injury occurred, a claim may not be approved. Of course, this assumes that sufficient proof exists that compensation is available for the injury in the first place. Another hurdle some individuals face is proving the injury happened at work since the employer may claim that it did not.
Just because a workers’ compensation claim is denied does not mean that an individual has no recourse. Overcoming these issues will more than likely take some knowledge and experience. Working with a workers’ compensation attorney could increase the chances of receiving benefits needed in order to mitigate the financial losses that accompany a work-related injury.
