Workers’ compensation claims can be denied for reasons that have nothing to do with whether or not you have a legitimate injury or occupational disease. If your claim was denied, you have a potential of three hearings after an appeal from the order denying your claim was done:
- At a district hearing with the Industrial Commission of Ohio
- At a hearing before a Staff Hearing Officer
- A third hearing from the Industrial Commission of Ohio in Columbus (by request)
It’s important to seek legal representation for these hearings. Without a lawyer to guide you, you could end up losing your case.
Why Was My Workers’ Compensation Claim Denied?
One of the most common causes of claim denial is a lack of proper medical documentation. If you are injured at work and go to a company doctor, you may not even be aware that a claim has been filed. The medical provider may have filed the claim on your behalf in order to be paid for the medical bills.
Once your claim is filed, you have a limited amount of time to provide medical information to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. If the bureau does not receive this documentation within 17 days, they will send you a letter saying your claim was denied for lack of medical documentation.
Another reason why claims are often denied is a misclassification of your injury. For example, you may file a claim for a sprained MCL that turns out to be an ACL injury. At this point, your claim needs to be amended.
What Should I Do if My Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?
After you receive a letter denying your claim, you have 14 days to appeal the decision. At this point, you should immediately contact an attorney to protect your rights.
Your employer won’t look out for your best interests. In fact, they can – and often do – actively participate against you. The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is basically an administrative body that does its best to follow the rules. The only person who will advocate for your position is your lawyer.
At Taubman Law we have helped thousands of workers obtain benefits after their initial workers’ compensation claim was denied. Contact us for a free consultation of your case today.