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What Do I Do If My Workers Comp Benefits Are Late?

Workers Comp Benefits 1

If you are receiving workers comp benefits, you count on that money to be there when you need it. After all, creditors are not patient. The people at the water company and the power plant expect to be paid on time.

As an experienced team of workers’ comp lawyers, we understand how frustrating it can be to never know when your workers’ comp payment will show up.

Read on to learn more about some reasons why this can happen.

A Simple Mistake

Keep in mind that the adjuster works for the insurance company, which must authorize the payment. There are many possible spots for a glitch to occur from the adjuster’s desk to your hands.

Perhaps the adjuster was out sick for a couple days, which caused a delay in payments. Maybe – and this is very likely – the adjuster is overloaded with cases and simply can’t get to them all in time.

In other cases, a computer error or mishap causes payments to go out late. You may have been given a laundry list of excuses time and again. After the first few times, you have every right to get fed up. You and your family depend on these payments to keep you financially secure. You deserve answers and courteous treatment.

Processing Problem

In some situations, payments are late through no fault of the insurance company. After all accidents can happen. They might be frustrating, but they are sometimes unavoidable.

In other situations, payments are delayed due to a federal holiday or a problem with the mail service. If this happens, it is best to give the insurance company a little time to straighten things out.

Although you should never hesitate to let the insurance company know about the delay, it is usually a good idea to remain calm and polite while you wait for the situation to get resolved, especially if this is the first time your payment has been delayed.

The Insurance Company Is Delaying on Purpose

On the other hand, not all insurance companies work hard to make sure payments arrive on time. It may seem difficult to believe, but the insurance company could simply be delaying payments on purpose.

Although the insurance company is tasked with paying out claims, it has every incentive to make your claim as challenging and frustrating as possible.

Fortunately, many states, including Florida, impose penalties on insurance companies that make late payments. In Florida, insurance companies can be forced to pay up to 20 percent in penalties for late workers’ compensation payments.

Steps on What You Can Do to Fight Back

Workers’ compensation benefits are there for a reason. In 2014 alone, nearly 3 million people were injured on the job, which means 3.2 injuries per 100 workers.

When you are hurt at work, your entire livelihood is suddenly at stake. You and your family shouldn’t have to suffer financially because you need time to heal and get back on your feet. When an insurance company delays your payments, it can feel like a slap in the face.

If the insurance company handling your payments has routinely paid them late, it’s important to remember that you have options.

  • Your first step should be calling an experienced West Palm Beach workers’ compensation lawyer. Our legal team has experience working with insurance companies to get to the bottom of payment delays.
  • If you have struggled to get results, then you may be pleasantly surprised to discover how quickly a knowledgeable attorney can put a stop to late payments with some phone calls and some strongly worded letters.
  • If that does not solve the problem, then it might be time to pursue litigation. Although litigation is typically a last resort, it is sometimes appropriate. If an insurance company does not want to act professionally and reasonably, it should be forced to explain its actions to a judge.

Need Workers’ Comp Benefits? Talk with an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you have been denied workers’ compensation benefits, or you never know when your next payment will come, it’s time to speak to an experienced West Palm Beach workers’ compensation lawyer.

Your lawyer can help you explore your options and take action if necessary. We will work hard to make sure your payments arrive on time, so you don’t have to worry about how you are going to pay your bills, provide for your family, and meet your obligations.

We have a reputation for fighting back against insurance company tactics. If necessary, we will pursue a case as far as needed to make sure our clients get the benefits they deserve on time, every time.

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