The reasons for a denial are varied. Here are some common reasons why your workers’ compensation claim could be denied:

Not reporting in a timely manner – For most injuries in Illinois, employees have 45 days from the accident to tell their employer about the injury.

Improperly completed paperwork – A common reason injured workers are denied compensation is the lack of detail in their accident report. A worker must prove that he or she suffered a workplace accident, and that the accident directly contributed to the injury or illness.

The worker was intoxicated – Some employers attempt to deny claims based on alcohol and drug tests. They can use a positive test to claim that you were intoxicated at the time of the accident, and say that your case should be denied.

There was a pre-existing condition – If you have a pre-existing condition such as arthritis, congestive heart failure, or epilepsy, your workers’ compensation claim may get denied.

You didn’t hire a Workers’ Compensation lawyer – A skilled lawyer will make sure you file all the necessary paperwork and meet all the critical deadlines. An experienced attorney will also know how to gather and present the evidence supporting your case, and the best strategies of negotiating with insurance companies.

At Krol, Bongiorno & Given, we have handled well over 30,000 claims for injured workers throughout the state of Illinois. For immediate help with a work injury case, call (312) 726-5567 for a free consultation or contact us online.