Barre Town Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workplace accidents result in some of the most serious injuries. Afterwards you may incur high medical expenses, and your injuries may leave you unable to return to work to pay for them. If you have suffered injuries while on the job, you may deserve benefits for these losses under the workers’ compensation system in Vermont. Workers’ compensation benefits are not easy to obtain, though, and even the slightest mistake could result in a forfeiture of your benefits. Our Barre Town workers’ compensation lawyer will ensure no mistakes are made so you obtain the benefits you deserve.
Steps During the Workers’ Comp Claim Process
There is a very strict process you must follow when claiming workers’ compensation benefits. These are as follows:
- Tell your employer about the injury immediately, or soon as you discover the workplace injury.
- Confirm that your injury has been reported to the Vermont Department of Labor, or report it yourself.
- File your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible, and no later than six months after your injury.
- Make sure the insurance company conducts an investigation within 21 days of receiving notice of the injury.
- Receive your benefits, or a letter of denial within 30 days of the insurer receiving the invoice.
- Attend a hearing, if necessary.
- Appeal the decision, if you are denied.
Reasons for Workers’ Compensation Denials
When an employer makes a workers’ compensation claim, their monthly premiums may increase. When an insurance company has to pay a workers’ compensation claim, it affects their profit margins. Due to these factors, each party will try to fight back against these claims. Some of the reasons insurance companies provide for denying claims are legitimate, but that is not always the case. The most common reasons for workers’ compensation denials are as follows:
- Failure to report the injury: If you failed to immediately notify your employer of the injury, or you missed the deadline for filing your workers’ compensation claim, the insurance company will likely deny your claim.
- You did not complete the application: It is important to not only fully complete the application, but also to send in any paperwork required. Our Barre Town workers’ compensation lawyer can review your application to make sure nothing is missed.
- You were not injured at work: Workers’ compensation only covers work-related injuries. The insurer may argue your injuries did not occur at work, even if that is not true.
- Your injury was intentional: The insurance company may argue that you intentionally hurt yourself to claim benefits, which is almost always untrue.
- Intoxication: Workers’ compensation will not provide coverage for an injury if you were intoxicated at work. The insurer or your employer may argue that you were intoxicated, even if you were not.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Barre Town Can Help After a Denial
At Sluka Law, PLC, our Barre Town workers’ compensation lawyer knows the reasons insurance companies give for denials, and how to fight back against them. Call us today at 802-457-1000 or contact us online to request a consultation and to get the sound legal advice you need.
