Why Some Vermont Workers’ Compensation Claims Take Longer Than Others

If you’ve been injured at work in Vermont, you are likely dealing with a lot, from medical bills to lost wages if your injury prevents you from working. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help you ease this burden. But sometimes, the workers’ compensation claims process can take longer than expected. This can be really frustrating. Understanding why some workers’ compensation claims take longer to resolve than others can help you stay prepared, avoid mistakes, and ensure your claim is handled correctly.

Below, we look at some of the main reasons some Vermont workers’ compensation claims take longer than others.

1.    Complexity of the Injury

The type and severity of your injury can significantly impact how long your claim takes. Generally, cases involving more severe injuries usually take longer than those involving relatively minor injuries. Serious injuries that require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or that cause permanent disability, take longer to settle because the full scope of recovery and the potential lasting effects take time to be determined.

2.    Medical Treatment

The type and duration of medical care needed directly impact the timeline of a workers’ compensation case. Your case cannot be fully settled until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), or in other words, if your condition hasn’t stabilized and no further significant recovery is expected.

However, while holding off until you reach MMI to settle your claim can increase the time it takes to resolve it, it is best that you wait. This ensures your benefits accurately reflect your long-term medical needs.

3.    Disputes About the Claim

Sometimes, employers or insurers question whether the injury is work-related or disagree on the reasonableness and necessity of the treatment. If such disputes arise, it might slow down your claim, because you might need to present more evidence. A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can help you deal with disputes and ensure your rights are protected.

4.    Incomplete Documentation

A workers’ compensation claim can be delayed if the worker provides incomplete paperwork or insufficient information. Even small mistakes of missing signatures can cause major setbacks because your case cannot proceed until everything is in order. Ensuring you provide complete documentation can help avoid these delays. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure your paperwork is complete and accurate.

5.    Administrative Hurdles

Vermont workers’ compensation cases are subject to specific rules and procedures that must be adhered to, such as independent medical examinations (IMEs). These administrative hurdles can extend the timeline of your case. For example, scheduling and completing an IME can add weeks or even months to the process. Additionally, insurance adjusters can add further delays, especially when they are dealing with many claims.

6.    Legal Representation

Whether or not you hire an attorney and the skills of your attorney can determine how long it takes to settle your case. Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help prevent unnecessary delays by ensuring not only that your paperwork is complete and accurate, but also that proper procedures are followed and your claim is filed correctly. Additionally, a skilled attorney can effectively handle any disputes that arise over the cause of your injury, its severity, or the need for treatment.

Contact Sluka Law Firm

If your workers’ compensation case is taking longer than expected, contact our skilled Vermont workers’ comp lawyer at Sluka Law PLC for guidance.