Denied Workers’ Comp Claims

Had your workers' compensation claim denied or cut off? We appeal denied claims across the Southeastern United States to get benefits back on track.

Free Case Review

A workers’ compensation denial can feel like a door slamming shut — no medical coverage, no wage replacement, and no clear path forward. The reality is that a denial is rarely the end of the case. Insurance carriers deny legitimate claims every day, and many of those denials are reversed on appeal when an injured worker is represented by an experienced attorney.

At Maples, Connick & Brendel, we take on denied workers’ comp claims across the Southeastern United States, handling everything from initial denials to termination of ongoing benefits.

Common Reasons Workers’ Comp Claims Are Denied

Insurance carriers rely on a predictable set of denial tactics, including disputes over whether the injury occurred at work or in the course of employment, claims that the injury is the result of a pre-existing condition rather than a workplace incident, allegations that the worker failed to report the injury in time or failed to follow required procedures, surveillance or social media content taken out of context, independent medical examinations (IMEs) performed by doctors chosen and paid by the insurance company, and assertions that the worker has reached maximum medical improvement and no longer needs care.

Each of these denial reasons can be challenged with the right evidence and legal strategy.

When Benefits Are Cut Off Mid-Claim

Denials do not only happen at the start of a claim. Insurance carriers frequently terminate wage benefits or cut off medical treatment midway through a case, often after an IME or after a treating physician releases the worker with restrictions. These terminations are appealable, and in many cases the evidence supporting them does not hold up under scrutiny.

How We Appeal Denied Claims

Our process includes reviewing the denial letter and identifying the specific grounds for denial, gathering and organizing medical evidence including treating physician reports, imaging, and specialist evaluations, deposing adjusters, IME doctors, and employer witnesses when necessary, filing the proper administrative disputes within the deadlines set by each state’s workers’ comp system, and representing you at mediation and hearing to present your case to the judge or commissioner.

Deadlines Matter

Every state imposes strict deadlines for disputing a denial, and those deadlines vary across the Southeastern United States. Missing a deadline can permanently foreclose your right to benefits, so if you have been denied, do not wait.

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or your benefits have been cut off, contact us today for a free case review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to appeal a denied workers' comp claim?

Deadlines vary by state and by the type of dispute. In general, you should treat a denial as urgent and contact an attorney within days, not weeks. The sooner we are involved, the more options we have to preserve evidence and file the proper paperwork on time.

What if the insurance company's doctor says I can go back to work but my own doctor disagrees?

Conflicting medical opinions are common and are one of the most frequent reasons benefits are cut off. We build the record with your treating physician’s opinion, additional specialist evaluations, and sometimes depositions of the IME doctor to challenge their conclusions. You do not have to accept an IME doctor’s opinion as the final word.

Will appealing a denial cost me anything?

No. We handle denied claim appeals on a contingency basis, meaning there is no upfront fee and our fee is a percentage of the benefits we recover, subject to state statutory caps.