Without workers’ compensation benefits, you could run into major difficulties trying to cover basic expenses after an injury on the job. An injured worker’s monthly expenses may include food, rent, child care, insurance payments and much more, so receiving a workers’ comp denial letter can be very alarming. The good news is that the workers’ compensation system in Georgia allows you to appeal a denied workers’ comp claim.
Appealing a workers’ compensation denial
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied by your employer and/or their workers’ compensation insurance company, then to move forward with getting your claim started, you must file a WC-14 Notice of Claim form with the Georgia State Board Of Workers’ Compensation.
When filling out the WC-14 Notice of Claim form if your case has been denied by your employer and/or their workers’ compensation insurance, you need to check the box requesting a Court Hearing. And as you proceed with filling out the form, you need to state what types of workers’ compensation benefits you are requesting — be it weekly disability indemnity benefits or medical treatment, or both.
There are also several deadlines for filing your WC-14 claim form. If you don’t meet these deadlines, the statute of limitations may expire and your claim will be barred, no matter how good the merits are.
The best thing to do as an injured worker when your workers’ comp claim has been denied is to contact an attorney who is well versed and knowledgeable in the workers’ compensation laws of Georgia.
To learn more about the process, please see our overview of Georgia Workers’ Compensation Do’s And Don’ts.