Workers’ compensation is an important form of financial support for New Jersey residents who get hurt on the job. The process for securing workers’ compensation benefits is specific and for many getting help from a legal professional is a good way to prepare a strong application. Readers should be aware, however, that not all applications for workers’ compensation are accepted. Some are rejected and this post will discuss some of the most common bases for denials.

One of the most common reasons that a workers’ compensation application may be denied is that the worker’s injury did not occur during their work. If a worker gets hurt at home, on their own time, or doing something that is unrelated to their job responsibilities, it may not serve as the grounds for a workers’ compensation claim.

Additionally, injuries that happen when a worker is on the job but that occur due to horseplay or actions unrelated to the individual’s job may also lead to workers’ compensation claim denials. Workers’ compensation is intended to compensate individuals who cannot work because of harm they suffered on the job and therefore if the cause of an individual’s harm is personal or wrongful, it may not meet the criteria for approval.

It is often the case that denials of workers’ compensation claims are based on technical deficiencies in applicants’ claims. If a claim is filed too late or is not fully proven with medical evidence, or if it was never reported to the applicant’s employer, it may be rejected.

This post does not offer any legal advice and it is not comprehensive of all possible bases for workers’ compensation denials. Men and women who have had their claims rejected may wish to consult with knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorneys for help with taking the next steps to have their claims reviewed.