Anyone following this blog will know that I filed my recent knee injury as a workers compensation claim. Well, just like many of my workers (workmans) comp clients, I received a Notice of Claim Status denying my claim. Many times a carrier will deny a claim simply because they only have 21 days to accept or deny the claim and they don’t have enough information yet to make a decision. It’s always easier for a carrier to accept a denied claim than deny an accepted claim.
I have filed a request for hearing with the Industrial Commission of Arizona (needs to be done within 90 days of the date of the denial Notice, otherwise, that notice is final). The hearing should be scheduled to take place about three months from now. In the meantime, the carrier (SCF in this case) will schedule a deposition with one of their attorneys to ask me questions (under oath) about my injury, medical treatment, job, past medical history and time lost from work.
I always tell potential clients that any time a claim is denied, requires surgery, or may result in permanent impairment or restrictions, that they should retain an attorney who practices exclusively workers compensation claims in Arizona. Let’s see if I follow my own advice!
Chad Snow is an attorney who practices workers comp in Arizona, with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He can be reached at (602) 532-0700, (520) 647-9000, or his website of Snow, Carpio, and Weekley.
