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When you’re injured on the job, you’ll need your employer to work with you and provide the workers compensation benefits you need. Unfortunately, you might have already received a denial and a reason for that denial: Your injury wasn’t work-related. You know your accident happened at work, but now you’ll need to know how to […]

How to Prove That Your Injury Is Work-Related
April 05, 2019
By Niko Pothitakis
Category: Workers' Compensation
When you're injured on the job, you'll need your employer to work with you and provide the workers compensation benefits you need. Unfortunately, you might have already received a denial and a reason for that denial: Your injury wasn't work-related. You know your accident happened at work, but now you'll need to know how to prove that your injury is work-related. Appealing your claim can be tough, and you'll need to know what evidence to bring before you get started. Fortunately, you'll have a chance to challenge the denial and get the full benefits you deserve after your work accident.

Seek Medical Care Immediately

One of the most immediate ways you can avoid that denial reason is by seeking medical care immediately. Although it may be too late to do so, requiring a hospital trip is a strong sign that you were injured as badly as you say you were. Medical exams can be used to your advantage during an appeal, even if you didn't go to the doctor immediately. Your doctor is a professional, and that means that their opinion about what caused your injury will be respected. For example, let's say you slipped and hit your head. Your doctor might examine you and find that you suffered a concussion. If your employer denied your claim, your doctor has diagnosed you, and they know that your head trauma was caused by an impact to your head. Because your doctor understands your injury well, they might be able to help.

Visual Evidence Can Help

Once you've gotten information from your doctor, you may need to speak to your employer or your fellow employees. Eyewitnesses and proof of the accident can help you build your appeal and obtain your workers comp benefits. For example, let's say you fell at work and didn't go to the doctor right away. Your fellow employees might have witnessed the accident and their accounts can support your story. Likewise, many businesses or workplaces have cameras placed around the site. These cameras reduce instances of theft and other crimes, but they can be used for your claim, too. In your accident, you might have been caught falling on camera. Between your doctor's assessment, the eyewitnesses, and the video footage of your fall, you should have a better chance of getting your workers compensation denial appealed.

Gathering Evidence with a Lawyer

If you're not sure how to prove that your injury is work-related, it might be as simple as gathering evidence to support your claim. Unfortunately, a serious injury can make it difficult or impossible to gather that information. You're struggling with the consequences of your accident, which leaves you feeling overwhelmed by your denial. Fortunately, a lawyer from the Pothitakis Law Firm, PC can help. You'll need someone on your side who understands how to get your denial appealed and can help you secure your rightful workers comp benefits. Starting with a free case review, we’ll work diligently to get you back on the road to recovery with the funds you deserve. Ready to get started? Reach out to us today by calling 319-754-6400 or by completing the online form below.
Photo of Niko Pothitakis
For the past 15 years Mr. Pothitakis has focused his practice on Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Cases. The firm has two locations, one being in Burlington, Iowa and the other in Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Pothitakis works with many area unions and employee organizations to provide advice, assistance, and guidance as it relates to employment issues. Mr. Pothitakis provides free consultations to those with legal questions in the firm's areas of practice. In this initial meeting or conference potential clients are provided advice on their need for assistance and how they need to proceed.

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