Proving You Deserve Workers' Compensation Benefits
If you were hurt while working, you may have filed for workers' compensation benefits to get reimbursed for medical expenses and loss of wages. Many people will find that their first attempt at filing for benefits will be denied. If you have obtained letter verification that you are not being awarded benefits, you can make an appeal to have the decision overturned. Here are some tips to use when proving to a court that you are deserving of workers' compensation benefits in an attempt to have a successful appeal.
File Paperwork Promptly
When you receive a letter denying you workers' compensation benefits, you will need to act fast in filing appeal paperwork. There is a statue of limitation in filing, making it important to be aware of this date so you do not miss an opportunity to have the ruling overturned. Each state has different stipulations regarding the amount of time you have to make an appeal. The appeal information will be listed on your letter of rejection or you can contact your state's workers' compensation officials for the information needed to file the appropriate paperwork.
Retain An Attorney
When appealing a rejected workers' compensation claim, most people will retain a lawyer to speak in their behalf in court. This is best as they may be able to find a reason why you should be awarded benefits that you did not think about on your own. They will know about past cases and use them to your advantage when speaking about your specific situation. To learn more about hiring an attorney, contact a law firm like Hardee and Hardee LLP.
See Your Doctor Regularly
It is extremely important to follow all your doctor's order when waiting to receive workers' compensation benefits. If you fail to heed medical advice, it will look unfavorable on your part, possibly causing the workers' compensation board to keep your claim in a denied state. Fill prescriptions and go to follow-up appointments to make sure you are not well enough to return to work. Have your doctor give you documentation about your medical status each time you go for an appointment. This information will be analyzed in detail by the workers' compensation board and the judge you will see in court.
Get Help From Fellow Employees
If your former employer is falsifying information about your injury claim, it can stop you from retaining benefits. If you have friends who had worked with you at the time of your injury who still work for the company, ask them to help you get information to prove you had become injured due to company negligence. This can be done anonymously by taking pictures of the area where you had gotten injured, proving the area is still a risk.