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When you sustain an injury on the job, you may need medical care and wages may be lost if you miss several days of work. Luckily, workers compensation insurance is designed to protect you in this type of situation. But qualifying for workers compensation is not automatic and there are several things that can cause your workers comp claim to be denied.

Not Reporting the Injury

If you're hurt at work, it is important to establish that the injury occurred while you were on the clock. Ideally, you should report the injury to your supervisor immediately so an accident report can be prepared. Make sure you ask for a copy of the accident report for your records. If you don't tell a supervisor about the injury when it happens, it can be difficult to prove that your injury happened at work and not at home or somewhere else, which can lead to workers comp being denied.

Seeing the Wrong Medical Provider

 In many cases, companies have strict requirements for medical care for workers compensation cases. A lot of companies are contracted with specific clinics or doctors who provide care for employees hurt on the job. If you see your primary care physician instead of the medical professional or clinic specified by your employer, there may be issues when you file your workers compensation claim. It is in your best interest to speak to a supervisor or the HR department to find out where you need to go for medical care after your workplace injury.

Failing to Follow Doctor's Orders

While you are recovering from a workplace injury, it is essential to follow the doctor's treatment plan and attend every follow-up appointment. Your medical records may be reviewed, and if it can be proven that your failure to follow your medical treatment plan prolonged your recovery, you may not receive full workers compensation benefits.

Forgetting to File a Claim

A workers compensation claim is not automatically filed on your behalf. It is important to be proactive in completing the necessary documents and giving them to your employer, who will then submit the claim to the insurance company that provides their workers compensation policy. The amount of time one has to file a workers comp claim varies from state to state, and if you miss the deadline a denial of your claim is likely. The sooner you can file your claim, the better.

Talk to a workers compensation attorney for more help.