Determining the Validity of a Denver Workers’ Compensation Claim
When an employee suffers an injury on the job, they may file a workers’ compensation claim that will provide benefits to cover medical expenses, time lost from work, and other expenses. But not everyone who files a claim will be approved. Before they make that decision, the insurance company will go through a process determining the validity of a Denver workers’ compensation claim. Generally, there will be many factors that affect this decision. Know that an experienced injury lawyer can help guide injured employees through the process.
Who Can File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Denver?
Any worker employed by someone else and injured on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation. However, they must fill out their claim completely and correctly. But contractors, independent freelancers, and volunteers may not have a valid Denver workers’ compensation claim if they suffer injuries while at their place of work.
Some small businesses may not invest in workers’ compensation insurance, even though the law requires them to. In the past, this left employees at risk if they suffered injuries. Now, Denver employees are covered by the Uninsured Employer Act, which will provide benefits for employees not covered by their employer.
Because some employers do not offer workers’ compensation, all employees should ask their employer what workers’ compensation they offer before starting on the job. This is often part of an employee’s orientation package, or will be posted in a common area, such as a break room. When employers do not want to provide this information, a workers’ compensation lawyer can find out when determining the validity of a Denver workers’ compensation claim.
What Injuries Make a Valid Workers’ Compensation Claim?
When determining the validity of a Denver workers’ compensation claim, an employee may not know if their injuries will be covered. The fact is, any injury that occurs on the job can make a valid workers’ compensation claim. Most people only think of the most severe injuries when they consider workers’ compensation, but this insurance covers more than just those.
Whether the injury happened at a construction site and will permanently disable the worker or is a broken ankle after someone tripped and fell at work, any injury can be claimed through workers’ compensation. While injuries reported to workers’ compensation will generally be physical in nature, employees may report psychological injuries as well. For instance, a convenience store cashier who is robbed while working may be distressed and unable to return to work for months due to the trauma. Even minor injuries should be claimed through workers’ compensation as the full extent of the injury may not be known and it could turn into something much more serious.
How a Professional Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
After the employee files the claim, the insurance company will review it to start determining the validity of a Denver workers’ compensation claim. When doing so they will examine the employee’s medical records, analyze their work experience, education, wages, and may order a medical examination to evaluate the stated injury.
In addition to these components of the process, the insurance company will also look closely at the claim to verify it has been completely filled out with accurate information. If it is not, they may deny the claim, which is why it is so important that all workers filing a claim retain the help of a professional injury lawyer to help them do so.
