Why Employers Try to Fight Workers’ Comp Claims

If you’ve experienced an injury at work, you’ve likely filed a workers’ comp claim to help cover the cost of the injury. However, sometimes winning your workers’ comp claim is much harder than you may think. If your employer is fighting your claim, knowing why and what you can do about it is good. 

Common Reasons Employers Fight Workers’ Comp Claims

Companies have many reasons to fight a workers’ comp claim, even when they’re required to provide the insurance. Look at the three reasons your employer may be fighting your claim.

Protecting Their Reputation

A workers’ comp claim can cause bad publicity for the involved business. This injured image can cause a decrease in profits and lower stock prices, which can be devastating to the employer. 

Because of this, some employers fight having to take responsibility for an incident at their business to avoid negative press. This denial is often seen in the form of fighting a workers’ comp claim to deflect blame. 

Keeping Insurance Premiums Down

Employers have to pay to offer workers’ comp insurance to their employees. Their premium is based on the risk level connected to their type of business. If claims are made against the business, it can raise the company’s experience modification rate (MOD), which will cause premiums to go up. 

Employers will often fight a workers’ comp claim to avoid paying higher premiums due to increased OSHA filings and injury probability in the eyes of their insurance company. 

Discouraging Other Employees from Filing

Some employers may fight your workers’ comp claim to set an example for other employees that filing a claim isn’t worth it. When an employer fights a claim, it often results in lengthy legal battles that can deter other employees, even if they have a solid case. 

When Can Your Employer Fight Your Claim?

Sometimes, an employer has every right to fight a workers’ comp claim. If employers think any of the following, they will likely fight a claim:

• The employee doesn’t have any severe injuries requiring medical attention.
• The injuries aren’t related to the job.
• No time off work is required.
• A previous injury unrelated to work.
• A claim was submitted too late.
• The employee lied about injuries or made false statements.
• Evidence doesn’t back up the claim.

What Can You Do?

If your employer is fighting your workers’ comp claim, you should fight back. Contact Grewer Law for legal assistance and fight for the compensation you deserve for your workplace injury.