Why Employers Fight Workers Compensation Claims
Have you noticed how most employers tend to fight the claims made despite paying for their workers’ insurance?
Do you wonder why they do this?
Why are they ready to pay but not ready to release claims?
Well, there are three main reasons for employers to fight workers’ compensation claims.
It’s because employers:
- Are worried that expensive claims can lead to the skyrocketing of their insurance premiums
- Want to protect their business image
The Two Reasons Why Employers Fight Workers’ Compensation Claims
Here’s a detailed description of the two reasons.
1. To control Insurance Costs
You know that employers pay premiums for workers’ compensation insurance coverage. However, did you know that the premium amount depends on how much the insurer pays in claims?
It means that the employer’s insurance premium increases if:
- Injured employees need multiple surgeries, physical therapy and can’t work for a few months
- The employee is permanently disabled after getting seriously injured on the job
- Multiple employees file for workers’ compensation claims in a short time
So companies may fight and try to deny their workers’ compensation claims to avoid spikes in insurance premium amounts.
Employers also fight the claims to make other injured employees hesitate to file for their claims. Many injured employees decide not to claim when they hear about other employees’ claims getting denied after years of a legal battle.
In short, employers work at keeping the number of claims and benefits low so that their insurance premiums remain low.
2. Protect the Company Reputation
Many employers fear that paying compensation and accepting responsibility for an employee’s injury can damage their business reputation. The fear is even more imbibed if the employee suffers serious injuries or is permanently disabled due to poor working conditions.
Besides, they fear the risk of negative opinions growing with the public that can affect its profits and stocks if the news reaches major news outlets. Employers feel that not paying compensation is the best way to avoid unnecessary negative publicity to the company.
How Employers Fight Workers Compensation Claims
Employers fight workers compensation claims using two main criteria:
· Employees Were Not Really Injured
Employers will try to prove that the employee’s injury wasn’t a consequence of their job. They primarily use this tactic for injuries inflicted by repetitive motion like back pain due to frequent lifting boxes.
Employees may dispute that the pain isn’t as severe as they claim. They mainly make these claims for injuries and conditions you cannot detect via x-rays or tests.
· The Injury Didn’t Occur at the Workplace
Some workplace injuries may not occur at the workplace, like getting hurt in a car accident while driving to a meeting. In this case, the employer will argue that the employee was traveling for personal reasons and not for the company. So they were thus considered ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Don’t give up if your claim is denied
Despite your employer’s fight against your claims, you have the right to file for workers’ compensation if you were hurt at work.
And you have the right to practice your rights.
As an employee, you are entitled to receive benefits that cover your medical bills, lost wages, and even future physical therapy. You are even permitted to a pension or some structured settlement if you were permanently disabled because of the injury.
So don’t give up if your claim is denied.
No doubt that the worker compensation claims process is complex, making the experience confusing and overwhelming. However, you have the right to appeal and reap the benefits you deserve.
Turning to your Glendale Workers’ Compensation Attorney Helps
A professional workers’ compensation lawyer in Glendale can help make the claim process go smoothly. They will answer all your questions and explain California’s workers’ comp rules, procedures and deadlines.
They know how to dispel any claims your employer makes and help you appeal to receive the benefits you deserve.