Do Workers’ Compensation Appeals Take a Long Time to Settle?

May 29, 2023

If you filed a Workers’ Compensation and it was denied, this can be extremely frustrating, particularly if your medical bills are piling up. While receiving a denial for a Workers’ Compensation claim can be devastating, you can still pursue the benefits you deserve by filing an appeal.

To file a Workers’ Compensation appeal, you must file for reconsideration with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission. You should contact an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer as soon as possible who can assist you with every step of the appeals process. You must provide evidence, and once your request has been reviewed, the Commission will dismiss your appeal, deny it, or grant it.

Every Workers’ Compensation case is unique, and the timeline can vary based on the complexity of the circumstances. However, the process generally takes between two and four months. Factors impacting the timeline include whether the Commission grants, denies, or dismisses the appeal.

One way to speed up the process is to resolve the claim at mediation, which is how approximately 70 percent of appeals get resolved. In addition, you can streamline the process as much as possible by going to all scheduled doctor’s appointments, following your physician’s orders, and ensuring that all of your paperwork is complete and submitted on time. However, if the insurance company denies your appeal, it will likely involve a long wait time. Your Workers’ Compensation lawyer will help you navigate every step of the appeals process and work tirelessly to resolve your claim as quickly as possible.

What Are Common Reasons for a Workers’ Compensation Claim to Be Denied?

Your employer or Workers’ Compensation insurer may deny your claim for several reasons. The following are some of the most common reasons why your Workers’ Compensation claim may be rejected:

• You failed to file your claim within the statute of limitations.
• Your employer or its Worker’s Compensation insurer claimed that your injury was not work-related.
• There was a clerical or procedural error on the claim form submitted to the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
• Your employer claims that you intentionally caused the accident that led to your injury.
• Your employer claims that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the accident.
• Your employer, its Workers’ Compensation insurer, or a Workers’ Compensation commissioner either claims that you did not suffer a workplace injury, have reached maximum medical improvement, or are no longer eligible for benefits.

Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Assist Clients With the Appeals Process

If you filed a Workers’ Compensation claim and it was denied, our Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton can assist you with filing an appeal. We will review the details of your case. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.