California’s workers’ compensation system allows victims of workplace accidents to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other such losses. Sadly, victims don’t always easily recover the compensation they deserve.
There are various reasons this may occur. For example, a workers’ comp claim might be delayed.
Is this happening to you? Review your case with an Oakland delayed claim attorney at JML Law if so. We could potentially help you move the claims process forward.
Oakland Delayed Claim Cases: Important Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits
California law requires virtually all employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. When a worker in California is injured in an on-the-job accident, they may incur various financial losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and more. Instead of absorbing the cost of these losses themselves, victims can file claims for workers’ compensation benefits.
Doing so doesn’t automatically guarantee a swift settlement. Sometimes, an insurance company will attempt to avoid paying a claimant altogether. The insurer may, for example, argue that an accident didn’t occur when a claimant was operating within the scope of their employment, and as such, they aren’t eligible for workers’ comp.
Another tactic insurers sometimes use when trying to avoid paying claimants involves delaying a claim. Common reasons insurers may give for denying claims include (but aren’t necessarily limited to) the following:
- The insurance company needs more time to investigate a claim
- The insurance company needs you to address paperwork errors or provide more information in your paperwork
- The insurance company is handling multiple claims and is working through a backlog
Those are just a few examples. Although there may sometimes be valid reasons for not paying a claim swiftly, it’s also possible for an insurer to delay a claim in hopes that a claimant will grow frustrated and essentially give up pursuing it.
Don’t let this happen to you. If you have reason to believe an insurance company is delaying your workers’ compensation claim for unjustified purposes, seek the assistance of a legal professional with experience handling such matters.
How an Oakland Delayed Claim Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer from the start is a wise decision when filing a claim. An attorney can help you by investigating your accident to gather evidence proving it was work-related, determining your claim’s potential value, and more.
However, even if you don’t already have a lawyer, you can still benefit significantly from hiring one if the insurance company is delaying your claim. An Oakland delayed claim attorney may be able to secure the compensation that’s essentially being withheld from you by:
- Conducting an investigation to determine if the reasons an insurance company is giving for delaying a claim are valid
- Addressing any factors that are holding up your claim, such as gathering necessary documentation from a physician
- Handling all correspondence with the insurance company promptly (which also allows you to focus on your recovery)
A delayed claim may cause understandable frustration. Luckily, you have options when an insurance company is taking its time processing your claim. Learn more by contacting JML Law online or calling us at 818-610-8800.
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Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. Is your claim been delayed?
