When you clock in at work, you hope to perform your day’s assignment, collect a fair day’s pay and return home to your family. Unfortunately, every workplace has its share of occupational risks and hazards.
If you sustain a work-related injury, it helps to know that you may be entitled to financial restitution for the resulting injuries, lost income and other losses through a workers’ compensation claim. But like any legal matter, it is not uncommon for the employer, the insurance company and the court to deny an otherwise straightforward claim. If this happens in your case, you deserve to know what went wrong so you can figure out your next cause of action.
Here are two common reasons why your workers’ comp benefits may be denied:
Failure to follow the law
Missouri workers’ compensation laws require you to take certain steps following your workplace injury. First, you need to make your employer aware of the workplace accident and the resulting injuries within 30 days from the date of the accident. Next, you are required to file your workers’ compensation claim within two years from the date of your injuries or when they were reasonably discovered. Failure to act as required by law can lead to your claim’s refusal.
An inconclusive medical report
Workers’ compensation is designed to compensate workers for work-related injuries and illnesses. If there is no evidence to link your injuries with the workplace accident, then you will have a hard time justifying your claim. An inconclusive medical report can happen if you do not seek treatment immediately following the accident or if you had an underlying condition that makes it impossible for the doctor to make a definite diagnosis of your injuries.
Protecting your rights
There is no denying that denied workers’ comp benefits can be devastating. Learning more about Missouri workers’ compensation laws as well as your obligations following a workplace accident can help you safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing the benefits you are entitled to following an injury at work.
