Savannah Workers’ Compensation Attorney Assists with Denied Claims
Personal attention and effective representation for your appeal
If you were injured on the job or developed an illness due to your working conditions, your workers’ compensation benefits are a valuable asset. You must rely on your medical benefits to get you back to health and your income replacement benefits to pay your bills. But if your employer denies your claim, you could face immediate financial hardship. Fortunately, Anderson Law Firm is ready to help you fight your denied claim through every step of the appeals process. Since 1993, we have been providing caring and determined legal counsel for injured workers throughout Southern Georgia. We have a solid track record of success getting claims approved on appeal, and we will work tirelessly for you.
Common reasons why insurance companies deny workers’ comp claims
Workers’ comp is a no-fault insurance program designed to protect workers and avoid litigation. In most cases, you simply file a claim with your employer, and you’re set to receive your benefits. But benefits such as medical expenses and wage replacement are expensive, and insurance companies often look for reasons to deny claims, such as:
- Failure to file the claim within 30 days of the injury
- Failure to provide adequate information about the cause of the injury
- Lack of evidence establishing the injury is work-related
- Lack of an employer-employee relationship
None of these assertions are fatal to your claim. We have extensive knowledge of the law and the appeals process. We know how to assemble the evidence and present the facts necessary to reverse the denial of a claim.
Trustworthy guidance through the workers’ compensation appeals process
There are several possible steps in the workers’ compensation appeals process, including:
- Filing an appeal — Within one year of the date of your injury, you must submit a Notice of Claim WC-14 form requesting a hearing with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC).
- Mediation — In many cases, the SBWC will require you to mediate your dispute with the insurance company and your employer, or you may request mediation. If mediation does not yield an acceptable resolution, the SBWC sets your case for trial.
- Hearing — Usually the SBWC sets a date to hear your case within 60 days of your filing the WC-14. You submit a written brief to the judge and may present evidence and call witnesses who testify under oath. The opposing party has these same rights. The administrative law judge who hears the case mails you a written decision.
- Appealing the judge’s decision — If you receive an adverse ruling from the administrative law judge, you have the right to appeal to the SBWC’s Appellate Division within 20 days. In most cases, this appeal is limited to a panel of judges reading written briefs from each side. After its review, the Appellate Division issues a written decision.
- Appealing to State Court — If the Appellate Division upholds the denial, you have 20 days to file another appeal with the Georgia Superior Court.
- Appealing the State Court’s decision — If the Superior Court judge upholds the denial, you have the option of appealing yet again to the Georgia Court of Appeals within 20 days.
Success on appeal requires knowledge of substantive law and procedure. Deadlines come fast, so it’s vitally important to choose an attorney with extensive experience. When you choose our law firm, you can have confidence that we know what we’re doing and are focused on delivering the best possible results.
Contact our Savannah workers’ comp law firm to overcome your claim denial
Anderson Law Firm helps injured employees appeal denied workers’ compensation claims. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 912-328-6491 or contact us online. We are conveniently located at 800 Commercial Court, Savannah, Georgia 31406. We are about a mile west of the Savannah Botanical Gardens and near the Oglethorpe Mall (7804 Abercorn Extention, Savannah, Georgia 31406).
