When you’ve been injured at work, the first thing you’ll want to do is file a workers compensation claim. Workers compensation is an insurance policy your employer takes out to cover employees for injuries or illnesses that befall them while on the clock. You can receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages, ongoing care, and even funeral expenses. However, sometimes you don’t receive compensation because your claim was denied. To avoid a denial and quicken your recovery, you should understand these top reasons for rejections.
Missing the Statute of Limitations
A denied workers compensation claim Oregon can be the result of simply missing the deadline. Your state has a statute of limitations surrounding insurance claims. You only have a certain amount of time to file your claim before the deadline expires. If you wait too long after your injury occurs, you won’t be able to file the claim. After an accident, the first thing you should do is check your state’s statute of limitations to makes sure your claim isn’t denied for such a simple reason.
Acting Negligently on the Job
Not every injury is covered by insurance. If your injury was the result of your own negligence, there is a slim chance you’ll be able to receive compensation. Some employees think that starting a fight or getting purposefully hurt means free compensation, but this isn’t the case. Blatantly acting against safety regulations or showing up drunk are also reasons to get your claim tossed out.
Your Injury Wasn’t “Work-Related”
This problem usually arises when your employer claims your injury happened outside of work. This can make for a challenging claims process, as you’ll need to go around your employer to get compensated. Don’t worry too much, as you can still gather evidence proving your injury happened at work. It’s also important to remember that an injury can be work-related even if you are away from your usual work area, so long as you were doing something for your employer at the time.