Injuries that happen at work are covered under workers’ compensation insurance. In Minnesota, worker’s compensation coverage is required by all employers with very few exceptions. This ensures that a worker injured while performing their job duties can receive medical care. Worker’s compensation also pays some of the employee’s wages if they cannot immediately return to work.
My worker’s comp claim was denied, and now I can’t get medical care
Worker’s comp claims can be denied. The insurance company may deny a claim for various reasons. The most common reasons for a claim to be denied include the following:
- Accident report was not filed before seeking medical care
- Claim was not filed on time after the accident happened
- Employer denies accident or injury occured
- Injury was a result of horseplay
- Cannot determine if the injury happened at work or elsewhere
- No documentation of the injury or medical care
There may be other reasons the insurance company denied your claim. The most important thing you can do at this point is to find out why the claim was denied so you can appeal the decision.
Can I appeal the decision of the worker’s compensation denial?
You have the right to appeal a workers comp denial. You must begin the process immediately after receiving the denial notice because there are time limits for filing an appeal.
To file a successful appeal, make sure that you gather as much evidence as possible showing that the injury occurred at work and that you are receiving medical care for that injury. If the insurance company makes any requests for information, ensure that these requests are answered as part of your appeal.
