How To Cope With Workers' Compensation Hold-Ups

Workers' compensation insurance can either be a valuable form of insurance for a hurt worker or a miserable experience. If you have been hurt at work and are learning that your experience is more miserable than helpful, read on and find out more.

Some Employers Won't Play Along 

It might not be too surprising that some employers are not that thrilled when an employee must take advantage of workers' compensation benefits. After all, businesses must pay the premiums costs for their employees and like many insurance companies, the premium costs could rise with too many claims. In addition to the cost of the premiums rising, employers may also struggle to fill in for a worker who is absent and recovering from an injury.

Commonly, employer issues may manifest when the employee finds out that they are not cooperating with the claim. They may drag their feet when filing the claim and not back up the employee who claims to have been hurt at work. They also may say that the employee was hurt while not at work or that their work had nothing to do with the injury.

You can combat issues like this by contacting your state's board of workers' compensation and finding out what to do. If that doesn't work, talk to a workers' compensation lawyer. Some employers need to be reminded that workers have rights and that lawsuits can follow if they refuse to support the hurt worker.

Some Workers' Comp Insurers Are Difficult

Hurt workers can also encounter insurers who are less than cooperative. They may deny claims for unfair reasons, delay paying medical bills, be hard to contact, and more. Some problems are minor and eventually can be cleared up. However, workers should be ready to act and seek legal help if any of the following occur:

• Denials of claims for reasons of being under the influence of a prescribed drug. 
• Missing disability wage payments.
• Workers are unable to get medical treatment for their injuries.
• Workers are told that they must go back to work even when they are still hurt.

Major issues can occur when an employee is ruled to be permanently injured. This type of situation means the worker may need to depend on a lump sum settlement from the insurer. Unfortunately, some insurers are reluctant to offer the worker enough to live on. That is when a workers' comp lawyer is a must. The lawyer can advocate for the worker, help with their claim and appeals, and negotiate with the insurer to get them paid what they deserve.

Contact a local workers' compensation lawyer to learn more.