If you've been injured in the workplace, your medical expenses should be covered by workers' compensation. While in many cases this is easy to achieve, sometimes employers are resistant and may seek to deny your claim. This can be due to bias, financial concerns, or legitimate questions about the validity of your claim. In each case, you may need to hire a personal injury attorney to help you pursue your case.

Reasons Employers Dispute Workers' Compensation Claims

1. They Don't Want to Pay

This reason is the most straightforward: workers' compensation claims can be expensive. Your employer's insurance premiums may rise if they file too many claims or those claims are expensive. To save on costs, your company may try to discourage you from filing or dispute your claim. While this is easy to understand, it is also illegal and places the financial burden on you. You will likely need the help of an attorney to convince your employer to pay.

2. They Believe They Aren't Responsible

Workers' compensation applies only to injuries sustained while you're completing duties for your employer as part of your employment. While this is usually a straightforward requirement, there are a few gray areas, such as the time spent driving to a job site. In these cases, your employer's understanding of whether they are liable may not match up with yours. Also, your employer could try to say your injury is a result of something other than your job, such as wasting time or being less than careful with your personal safety.

3. They Think You're Faking

“Malingering” is the industry term for someone who fakes an injury or overplays its severity to get workers' compensation. Your employer may believe you're malingering, especially if your injury is due to the cumulative effects of your work or is hard to prove. Overcoming an employer's bias is an uphill battle and one you shouldn't undertake alone.

If you've been injured at work, a personal injury attorney may be your best chance of receiving compensation—especially when your employer disputes your claim. Contact a lawyer today with the details of your case so you can get the help you need to recover.

O'Connor, Mikita & Davidson in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers representation in personal injury and workers' compensation claims from their three convenient locations throughout Cincinnati. If you need legal advice, call them today at (513) 793-5279 or send a message online.