When you agree to employment, you accept certain perks and benefits as an attractive incentive. You expect that you work, and your employer upholds their end of the deal. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, though; your employer may try to skirt agreed-upon responsibilities previously.
When speaking of benefits such as worker’s compensation, not only is failure to deliver not an option, a delay in the process could seriously hinder your health or ability to earn. Still, there are some sneaky ways that an employer may try to get out of worker’s compensation benefits.
How workers’ comp might be withheld
Your employer pays for worker’s compensation insurance. In an effort to save overhead costs, it could be tempting to choose cheaper insurance packages. While cost-savings are understandable, they could be harmful to employees when making claims.
If you’ve been hurt on the job, the last thing you want is to have to jump over hurdles or feel like you’re being interrogated as if you did something wrong. However, suppose a cheaper insurance company is trying to get out of paying the benefit. In that case, they may try some of the following tactics:
- Shorten the time an employee has to file a claim.
- Limit available health care providers approved.
- Conduct post-injury drug tests unrelated to the accident.
- Limit qualifying illnesses or injuries.
- Discredit job-related activities to pre-existing conditions.
Worker’s compensation is an insurance-based benefit. Navigating insurance company bureaucracy has been historically challenging. When you’re injured on the job and protected by insurance, getting the medical care you need can be harder if the insurance company battles against you.
Suppose you’ve been recently injured at work, and you’re having a difficult time navigating the process. In that case, learning more about the laws regarding worker’s compensation may help you know what appropriate steps to take next.
