Why Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Delayed

Are you in the process of filing your workers’ compensation claim and wondering why the process is taking so long? Here are several reasons why your workers’ compensation may be delayed:

You Personally Delayed or Made Mistakes While Filing for a Work Injury Claim

As an injured employee, you need to report the work injury as soon as the incident happens. If you delay to file for a work injury claim it can interfere with your eligibility and can give the insurance company leeway to argue that your injuries weren’t work-related. 

Also, if there are any mistakes made in your paperwork this can delay the process as well. This is one important reason it’s a good idea to speak with a workers’ comp attorney. They can ensure paperwork is filed correctly and help prove your claim.

Delays from Your Employer

Your employer may delay following up your work injury claim due to negligence, ignorance, or poor communication between supervisors. In this kind of situation, it would help to have a workers’ compensation attorney by your side.

Your Employer’s Insurer Is Causing the Delays

Once you notify your employer about your accident and the resulting injuries, they must notify their workers’ comp insurer. The insurer, however, can delay your claim for a few reasons. First, they may require more time to investigate your claim and they may also require more time to clarify errors made in the paperwork. They could also be understaffed or could be handling multiple claims.

Your Physician Made Mistakes in Their Examination or Report

While a physician’s report is important in supporting a work injury claim, any mistake made by the medic during treatment or diagnosis can hurt your claim. Also, the physician may take long before providing the necessary medical report to an insurance company which could subsequently delay the hearing and compensation process.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.