Carpal tunnel syndrome affects many workers across diverse industries. Unfortunately, some claims for carpal tunnel syndrome bring challenges when the employer’s insurance carrier denies the claim.
If your employer’s insurance carrier denied your claim for carpal tunnel syndrome, there are things you should know.
Common reasons for denial
The average cost of a carpal tunnel workers’ compensation claim is approximately $34,000. Insurance carriers try to minimize their financial obligation. The easiest way to do that is with claim denials and low-range settlements. There are several common reasons for carpal tunnel claim denials.
In some cases, insurance carriers deny claims based on insufficient medical evidence. Make sure that you have as much information as possible about your condition, diagnosis and the connection they have to your work activities.
The insurance carrier might also claim that your carpal tunnel results from a pre-existing condition instead of your work activities. In those cases, you need medical evidence to support the origin of the condition. Establishing a clear link between work activities and carpal tunnel can be challenging. Denials may result from disputes over whether the condition is genuinely work-related.
Options to fight a denial
Remember that you have options to appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim. Challenge the denial with supporting evidence to defend your case, including strong independent medical evaluations and additional documentation. This is particularly important when you have a carpal tunnel claim since its origins can be challenging to determine without professional medical intervention.
The more proactive you are with your case and your treatment plan, the better your chances to win an appeal.