Workers’ compensation is an important resource for injured employees or those with occupational illnesses. This insurance provides medical treatment, wage replacement and rehabilitation to aid workers in recovery before returning to work. In fact, the National Institutes of Health estimates that about 16 million workers access these benefits annually.
However, employers may hesitate to approve payouts due to associated costs or other consequences. An employee who deserves workers’ comp should be aware of subtle tactics that an employer might use to undermine a claim.
Not authorizing treatment or disputing injuries
Some employers might find ways to hinder a worker from receiving necessary medical attention after a work incident. They could refuse to authorize treatment or dispute the injury, prolonging the application and delaying payout. By creating obstacles to appropriate medical attention, businesses can contest claims as not having concrete proof of harm.
Offering a light-duty job
Another tactic is offering temporary light-duty work, even making it seem like the gesture is a favor to the injured employee. However, accepting the work could make it seem like the worker has not suffered as much harm as the claim states.
Even worse, the new assignment could be unsuitable for someone recovering from a major injury, worsening the situation and delaying recovery. This move could also buy the company additional time to build an argument against the worker’s claim.
Slowing down communication
The California Department of Industrial Relations makes clear that an employer must complete specific sections of the claims form. The company must then forward the completed document to the insurance company. Also, the injured employee has the right to receive a completed claim.
However, a business might also intentionally delay the process by neglecting to respond to a worker’s compensation inquiry or failing to complete necessary paperwork. Such delays have the potential to affect the entire insurance claims experience, and employers could be banking on confusion to slow things down to give themselves more time.
Workers’ comp insurance provides protection and support to any worker who sustains an injury on the job. If an employer uses tactics to delay claims for compensation, employees have ways to pursue a just resolution.
