We have updated our privacy policy. By continuing, you are agreeing to our terms.

Workers’ Compensation Claims: Why do they get denied?

Workers’ Compensation Claims: Why do they get denied?

Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to provide support for individuals who suffer work-related injuries. Since workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, employees do not have to prove fault when they have a workers’ compensation claim. However, it is not unusual for claims to be denied by the employer or the insurance company. Insurance companies do not enjoy paying out for claims, and employers do not like the possibility of increasing insurance premiums. If you have filed a claim for workers’ compensation and it was denied, here are some of the reasons that this might have happened.

Most Common Accidents in the Workplace

Most Common Accidents in the Workplace

The most recent numbers show that in 2009 there were 3,277,700 recordable, non-fatal accidents in private industry workplaces. Of those, nearly 52 percent involved sprains and strains, most often involving the back, and nearly a million of these injuries caused significant time away from work. If you add bruises, contusions, cuts, lacerations and fractures to the list, you have accounted for almost two-thirds of the accidents which lead to days away from work.

Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Explain the Difference Between an Employee and an Independent Contractor

Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Explain the Difference Between an Employee and an Independent Contractor

One of the most important things when it comes to a Georgia workers’ compensation claim is the status of the injured or ill worker at the time the workplace injury or illness occurred. This is often a disputed matter, as some workers are considered “employees,” while other workers are considered “independent contractors.” While an employee’s work status may not seem that important when both an employee and independent contractor may be performing the exact same job duties for the same employer, this distinction is extremely important if an injured or ill worker wants to pursue workers’ compensation benefits.

Hazardous Substances in the Workplace Which Can Lead to Lung Diseases

Hazardous Substances in the Workplace Which Can Lead to Lung Diseases

Many people currently suffer from a lung disease that was caused by a hazardous substance. Such lung diseases can affect the breathing mechanisms causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing. When a person is afflicted with this type of disease in their lungs, they may become incapable of enjoying the activities they once did, or working in the same career field. Occupational lung diseases are brought on by workplace exposure.

Georgia Construction Workers Face Heightened Asbestos-Related Health Risks

Georgia Construction Workers Face Heightened Asbestos-Related Health Risks

Asbestos can cause serious medical conditions that prove to be fatal, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestoses. These dangerous microscopic fibers pose a significant health hazard to those who engage in electrical work and other construction trades on commercial, public and residential building sites. Asbestos often causes severe illness and wrongful death to those in the building trades because it was a frequent component in construction materials.

Disabled in Work-Related Accident in Georgia: What Now?

Disabled in Work-Related Accident in Georgia: What Now?

Each year many employees suffer serious injuries on the job that result in the employee needing medical treatment, rehabilitative therapy, and compensation for their lost wages and permanent disability. Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation Law, employees must report the accident to their employer, and are sent by the employer to an approved physician on the employer’s panel. Since the employer determines which doctors are included on the panel, the physician has a potential conflict of interest between the interests of the employee, and interests of the employer who made the referral to the physician. As a result, an employee who is unaware of his or her legal rights may receive much less in the way of medical care and disability benefits, and ultimately a settlement, than someone who consults an attorney. Sometimes, there is even a denial of the claim, resulting in the unfortunate situation where the employee gets no compensation whatsoever.

Previous
2 / 2
Next