You got hurt at work, you followed what you thought were the right steps, and now you’ve been told your workers’ comp claim is denied. What does that mean for you and your family? Do you keep working through the pain? Do you pay your own medical bills while you fight the system? Many workers in Gulfport and across Mississippi face the same situation, and the good news is that a denial isn’t always the end of the road.
Understanding why claims get denied is the first step in fixing the problem. Here are some of the most common reasons for a denial and what you can do next.
Waiting Too Long to Report After You’ve Been Hurt at Work
Mississippi law says you must tell your employer about your injury within 30 days. If you wait longer, your claim can be denied. Imagine injuring your back lifting boxes but trying to tough it out for weeks. By the time you finally report it, your employer may argue that the injury didn’t even happen at work. Reporting right away gives you a stronger case.
Weak or Missing Medical Evidence
Workers’ comp cases live and die by medical records. If you don’t go to the doctor promptly or fail to follow through on appointments, the insurance company may argue you weren’t really hurt. For example, if you cut your hand on a machine and don’t seek medical care until days later, your employer could claim it happened at home. Seeing a doctor immediately and following their orders creates the proof you need.
Disputes About How the Injury Happened
Sometimes the fight isn’t about if you’re hurt, but how. If your employer says the accident happened outside work hours or while you weren’t doing your job, they may try to deny benefits. Say you fell in the parking lot before clocking in. Was that covered? These are the kinds of disputes where details, witness statements, and records matter.
Pre-existing Conditions
If you already had back pain, knee problems, or another medical issue, your employer might argue your injury was “nothing new.” But if your job made the condition worse, Mississippi law can still allow you benefits. The key is showing how your work aggravated the problem, which usually requires strong medical support.
Not Following Medical Advice
Skipping physical therapy, missing appointments, or ignoring restrictions your doctor gave you can lead to a denial. Insurance companies may argue you aren’t serious about recovery. Staying consistent with treatment helps protect your claim and your health.
Employer Pushback
At times, an employer simply disputes the claim outright. Maybe no one saw the accident, or they believe the injury was self-inflicted. In these cases, documentation, medical records, and even co-worker testimony can make the difference.
What to Do After a Workers' Compensation Denial
Read the denial letter carefully. It will explain why your claim was rejected.
Collect more evidence. This could be updated medical records, treatment notes, or witness statements.
File an appeal quickly. In Mississippi, deadlines are strict. Missing one could mean losing your chance entirely.
Get Help from a Gulfport Workers’ Comp Lawyer
A denied claim doesn’t mean the end of your case. With the right guidance, you can challenge the decision and fight for the benefits you deserve. At Ben Bowden, PC, we help injured workers in Gulfport and across Mississippi stand up to denials and navigate the appeals process.
If your workers’ comp claim was denied, don’t face it on your own. Contact us today to speak with a Gulfport workers’ comp lawyer who knows how to protect your rights and get you the support you need.
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.jpg){kind=icon}
