When you're injured, you'll need your workers compensation benefits to help pay for your medical care and recover from your injuries. Unfortunately, you may be struggling to receive your benefits because your employer disputes your workers' compensation claim. Because of this, you may not be getting the benefits you need, when you need them. That can hurt your future and your chances of recovering from your injuries. So, why do employers dispute workers compensation claims? The reasons can vary depending on the claim. Reach out for help from an Iowa workers' compensation attorney if you've been injured and your employer is disputing your claim.
Common Reasons Why an Employer May Dispute a Workers' Compensation Claim
Iowa's employers must carry workers' compensation insurance policy that pays out benefits to injured workers who qualify for compensation. If a worker files a valid, timely claim for benefits, the employer and its insurance company should pay out benefits to the worker. In some cases, an employer may dispute a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, not all of these employers have a legitimate or fair reason to dispute the claim. Common reasons that an employer might dispute a claim include costs of insurance, location of the injury, and lack of visibility of the injury.
Costs of Insurance
One of the major motivations for a denial is often money. Your employer may be more focused on their profits, not your recovery. If there are many workers comp claims being filed, the insurance company may raise the costs of their premiums, meaning your employer pays more for the insurance they must carry. Because they're focused on keeping those numbers to a minimum, they may try to deny your workers comp claim. They want to keep their costs low, so they'll try to put the expenses on you.
Disputes on Location of Accident
In other dispute cases, your employer may not believe that your accident happened at work. This dispute often arises when workers don't seek medical care right away. Your employer may use this delay to their advantage, claiming that you could have been injured somewhere else, not at work. That's why you'll need to seek medical treatment immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine. For example, you may have slipped and fell, but you just feel a little bruised. Later, your back hurts so much that you can't work. If you waited to see a doctor, your employer may claim you could have been injured somewhere else.
Visibility of Injuries
Some injuries are less obvious and clear-cut than others. For example, it may be clear that you were injured if your arm was caught in a machine, but what about repetitive-motion injuries or work-related illnesses? Less-visible illnesses can be harder to prove, which may lead to a dispute. Your employer might question whether you were truly injured. Often, that means you'll need to seek out more exams and proof from your doctor. These tests can strengthen your claim and show your employer the severity of your injuries.
Talk to a Workers Comp Lawyer if You Receive a Letter of Dispute From Your Employer for Workers’ Compensation Claim
When you've suffered a serious work-related injury, getting workers' comp benefits is vital for your recovery. Unfortunately, you may now be dealing with a dispute, which makes securing those benefits difficult and frustrating. This is especially so if your employer lied to the workers' compensation commission or his or her insurance provider. If your employer disputes the underlying claim, this can result in a workers' compensation settlement not paid on time. Reach out for help from your lawyer when you're asking, “Why do employers dispute a workers' compensation claim?” At Pothitakis Law Firm, PC, we'll help you defend your benefits, starting with a free consultation. We'll take a look at your claim and show you how we can help before you sign anything. When you're ready to fight back, reach out for your free consultation from your Iowa work comp attorney.
