Missing work—and regular paychecks—can make it hard for people to make ends meet while they recover from their work-related injuries. For this reason, many injured workers are eager to find out whether their workers’ compensation claim has been approved or denied. When should you expect your employer’s insurance company to reach a decision? Here’s what you need to know:
What Happens After You Notify Your Employer?
By law, employers are required to notify the Workers’ Compensation Commission and their insurance provider of work-related injuries within 10 days. The insurance company will need to review the details of your claim before reaching a decision, so you should not expect to hear from them immediately after they are notified by your employer.
When Will You Find Out If Your Claim Has Been Approved or Denied?
Insurance companies must reach a decision rather quickly. The law requires that they decide whether to approve or deny your claim within 15 days from the date the claim was submitted. If the claim is complex, the insurance company may ask for an additional 15 days so they can conduct a more thorough review of the case.
If your claim has been approved, you will be notified once the insurance company makes its decision, which is usually within 15 days from the date the claim was submitted. You should start receiving workers’ compensation benefits shortly after your claim has been approved.
If your claim has been denied, your employer must file the “Employer’s Intent to Controvert Claim” form and send you a copy. This must be done within 15 days unless the 15-day extension has been granted.
Basically, injured workers typically find out whether they are approved or denied within 15 days from the date the claim was submitted. However, this does not mean that you will find out within 15 days from the date the injury was sustained. Your employer has 10 days to notify the insurance company, and the 15-day window does not begin until your employer has completed this step. So for example, if your employer waits until the 10th day to notify the insurance company, you will find out whether your claim has been approved or denied within 25 days from the date you reported the injury to your employer.
If you have suffered a work-related injury, it’s in your best interest to legal representation from the attorneys at Armstrong & Vaught, P.L.C. right away. We are committed to helping injured workers secure the workers’ compensation benefits they need as quickly as possible. Call us at (918) 582-2500 or toll-free at (800) 722-8880 or complete the simple form below for a free consultation with a skilled attorney.