# Hurt at work and the claim was denied: what to do > Report the injury to your employer in writing right away; deadlines can be just days. Get medical care, tell the doctor it happened at work, and keep every record. Read the denial letter for the reason and appeal deadline, then file with your state workers’ compensation agency and ask for a hearing. In most states, punishing you for filing is illegal. Workers’ comp lawyers usually work on contingency, often with fees capped by the state. - URL: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=workers-comp-denied ## Step by step 1. **Hurt at work and your claim was denied?** A denial isn’t the final word. Most states let you appeal through the state workers’ compensation agency. 2. **Report the injury in writing, right away.** States set deadlines to tell your employer, sometimes just days. Keep a copy. 3. **Get medical care and tell the doctor it happened at work.** Follow your state’s rules about which doctors to see. Keep every record and bill. 4. **Read why it was denied.** Common reasons: late reporting, “not work-related,” missing medical proof. The letter should say how and when to appeal. 5. **File with your state workers’ comp agency.** You can usually ask for a hearing before a workers’ comp judge. Bring medical records, witness names and your injury report. 6. **Your employer can’t punish you for filing.** In most states it’s illegal to fire or punish you for making a workers’ comp claim. 7. **A workers’ comp lawyer can help.** Most work on contingency, and many states cap their fees. A free first call is common. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Report the injury in writing, fast - Get care and say it happened at work - Read why it was denied - File with the state workers’ comp agency - Know retaliation is illegal - Talk to a workers’ comp lawyer ## Report it Tell your employer in writing as soon as possible. States set deadlines, sometimes only days, and late reporting is a common reason for denials. ## Get care See a doctor and say the injury happened at work. Some states require you to use certain doctors at first. Keep every record and bill. ## Why claims get denied Late reporting, disputes about whether it happened at work, missing medical proof, or a pre-existing condition. The denial letter should give the reason and the appeal deadline. ## Appeal File with your state workers’ compensation agency (sometimes called a board or commission). You can usually ask for a hearing before a workers’ comp judge. Bring medical records, witness names, your injury report and pay records. ## Your protections In most states, it’s illegal for an employer to fire or punish you for filing a claim. ## Getting help Workers’ comp lawyers usually work on contingency, and many states cap their fees. Many offer a free first call. ## Common questions ### What does workers’ comp pay for? Usually medical care for the work injury and part of your lost wages while you can’t work. Some states also pay for permanent injuries and job retraining. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/what-does-workers-comp-pay-for ### Can I sue my employer instead? Usually not; workers’ comp generally replaces lawsuits against your employer. You may be able to sue a third party, like an equipment maker. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/can-i-sue-my-employer-instead ### How long do I have to report a work injury? It depends on your state, sometimes only days and often within about 30 days. Report it in writing as soon as possible. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/how-long-do-i-have-to-report-a-work-injury ### Why was my workers’ comp claim denied? Common reasons include late reporting, disputes about whether it happened at work, missing medical evidence, or a pre-existing condition. Your denial letter should explain. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/why-was-my-workers-comp-claim-denied ### How do I appeal a workers’ comp denial? File with your state workers’ compensation agency by the deadline and ask for a hearing. Bring medical records, witnesses and your injury report. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/how-do-i-appeal-a-workers-comp-denial ### Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim? In most states, firing or punishing you for filing is illegal retaliation. Keep records and talk to a lawyer if it happens. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/can-i-be-fired-for-filing-a-workers-comp-claim ### Do I have to see my employer’s doctor? Some states require you to start with an approved doctor; others let you choose. Check your state’s rules. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/do-i-have-to-see-my-employers-doctor ### How much does a workers’ comp lawyer cost? Most work on contingency, taking a percentage of what you receive, and many states cap the fee. There’s usually no upfront cost. Source page: https://explained.page/workers-comp-denied/questions/how-much-does-a-workers-comp-lawyer-cost ## Official sources - [U.S. Department of Labor: workers’ compensation](https://www.dol.gov/) - [OSHA: workers’ rights](https://www.osha.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] workers compensation board" - "[your state] deadline to report work injury" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.