A workplace injury can alter the entire course of a life, but there are reasons for hope with a San Francisco or Oakland workers' compensation attorney like Alex Bonilla. Being hurt on the job may leave employees relying on workers' compensation to maintain financial stability, but authorities frequently deny claims without a San Francisco workers' compensation attorney or ‘work comp’ lawyer. The Law Offices of Alex Bonilla, P.C. is a top workers' compensation law firm with many avenues of support, including a skilled San Francisco and Oakland work injury attorney.
3 Reasons Workers’ Compensation Cases Fail
Sometimes, the insurance company provides valid reasons for denying a claim, but saving money is usually their priority. An Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose workers' compensation attorney like us can ensure that these insurance companies do not push away a claim simply to focus on their bottom line. It’s not fair, and hiring a reliable workers' compensation attorney could raise the odds of approval considerably.
Here are three reasons a company might reject a workers' compensation claim and what to do about it:
#1 Ineligible Injury
Insurance companies typically deny claims by stating that the injury fails to meet the necessary conditions. A work injury could be ineligible if:
- The injury is inexplicable. An injury at work needs a detailed and evidence-based explanation. The claimant needs to prove that they were at work when the injury occurred or that it happened as a result of workplace responsibilities. Otherwise, the insurance company could claim that the employee is at fault for the accident.
- There are pre-existing injuries or conditions. An insurance company might escape covering treatment if the employee does not prove it is a new problem. However, compensation may still apply if the work injury worsens a pre-existing condition, so check with a workers' compensation attorney.
- The employee neglects to report the injury within the appropriate time frame. In California, employees have one year to file a claim.
- The injury occurred elsewhere or off the clock. For example, injuries that happen during the commute to work may not be eligible for workers' compensation.
- There is a lack of medical evidence. It is important to share any medical records or documents of the work injury with the insurance company in a timely fashion.
#2 Fault and Employment Status
Even if a work injury meets all the requirements, insurance companies could still deny a claim if:
- The injured worker was working as an independent contractor at the time of the injury.
- The employee waits too long to report an injur
There are ways to fight rejected claims and demonstrate why an injury is eligible for a claim; feel free to ask our San Francisco workers' compensation attorney for more details.
#3 Hiring Representation
An insurance provider still has to uphold the law regarding workers' compensation. Every person has the right to hire a competent workers' compensation attorney from a San Francisco work injury law firm. The Law Offices of Alex Bonilla, P.C., advocates for employee rights and knows the landscape. On top of their proven track record, they do not charge their client’s fees unless they win.
Contact the workers' compensation attorney at 415-761-3171 today or complete the online form for a free consultation. Alternatively, visit the office at 1390 Market St. STE 200, San Francisco, CA 94102-5404; the workers' compensation attorney serves San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland.
