Convenience store employees may apply for compensation if they are injured while at work. The company, like all major employers, has workers’ compensation insurance cover in the event that a company employee is injured at work. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault type of insurance. Theoretically, even if a convenience store worker’s injury was their own fault, they should still be entitled to recover the cost of medical treatment and some, but not all of any lost wages. Unfortunately, not all workers’ comp. claims are accepted. It may be a struggle when a claim is denied by a convenience store insurance provider. An appeal is possible, but the process is quite complicated and there are time limits involved. It is best to talk to a workers’ compensation attorney before filing an appeal against a denied claim. Contact The Insurance Company If you receive a claim denial letter from a convenience store insurer, you will need to check with them to find out exactly why your claim was denied. Often times, a claim is denied for quite simple reasons. Your injury should have been reported to your store supervisor and recorded in the company’s official accident database. Depending on the state you work in, your injury should have been notified to either or both the company’s insurer and / or the state workers’ compensation board. Administrative errors are common reasons for a claim denial, but they may usually easily be sorted out, allowing the claim to be reassessed. There are several other reasons why an insurer might deny a claim. The most common reasons apart from an administrative error as has already been mentioned is that the insurer is not convinced that the injury happened at work, or that there was insufficient documentation supplied with the claim. You may appeal against the decision if you disagree with the insurer’s reasons for a denial. File Your Workers’ Comp. Appeal If a convenience store insurer does not respond to your inquiries, you may have to formally submit an appeal against the decision, preferably under the guidance of an experienced workers’ comp. attorney. Each state has its own procedure for formal appeals, but they tend to progress in steps. The first step is to attempt mediation between the insurer and the claimant. This is fairly informal, but it does allow an opportunity to explore simple reasons why a claim has been denied. If mediation is unsuccessful, the next step is a more formal hearing sometimes called an administrative hearing. This may be presided over by a judge, or sometimes a panel. Both the insurer’s reasons for a denied claim and your own reasons why you think you have a right to make the claim you made. It is important to be well prepared for both mediation and the administrative hearing and keep in mind that if you don’t follow the procedure and time limits carefully that you may lose your chance of winning an appeal. A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help File an Appeal It may be very difficult attempting to file an appeal and go through the motions of what is quite a complex process all on your own without legal help. There is little point in not using an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to provide legal advice and negotiating skill. Additional Resources Help! I was hurt working for Family Dollar! What Evidence Do I Need for My Case Against Family Dollar? Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Family Dollar, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
