Workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault process designed to give injured workers fast access to coverage for medical care and lost income.
Unfortunately, employees sometimes face bad faith tactics from insurance companies attempting to avoid payouts.
Delaying the claim investigation
Insurance companies investigate every claim, and sometimes they delay the process for various reasons. They may want time to figure out how to deny the claim, or they ask you for information they know you cannot quickly access. If the insurer takes weeks to get back to you, it could be a delay tactic.
Denying your claim without reason
The most obvious tactic is denying your claim without explanation. When an insurer has a valid reason for denying a claim, they typically explain it along with the denial notification. If they give you a vague or nonsensical reason, it is likely a tactic to avoid paying.
Making unreasonable requests for documentation
Sometimes insurance companies will ask for an unreasonable amount of documents to frustrate you and delay the claim. Often, these documents have nothing to do with the case or your eligibility for coverage.
Avoiding communication
If the insurance company does not respond to your attempts at communication, it is a clear sign they want to avoid your claim. They may ignore your phone calls or not respond to your emails, which is frustrating.
The key to dealing with bad faith tactics from insurance companies is not to give in. They want you to give up, but you have legal options available to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.