Workers’ comp insurance companies are not on your side. Denying or delaying medical care is one of the ways they attempt to reduce costs.
When you’ve been injured on the job in Missouri, workers’ compensation should cover the medical treatment you need to recover. Unfortunately, many injured workers face an unexpected roadblock: the insurance company refuses to approve necessary treatment.
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Why Would an Insurance Company Deny or Delay Treatment?
Workers’ comp insurance companies are not on your side. Denying or delaying medical care is one of the ways they attempt to reduce costs. Common reasons they give for denying treatment include:
- Claiming the treatment is not “medically necessary”
- Arguing your injury is not work-related
- Disputing the severity of your condition
- Suggesting you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- Claiming a second opinion contradicts your physician’s recommendation
Unfortunately, even when your doctor recommends a procedure—like surgery, physical therapy, or diagnostic testing—you may still face unreasonable delays or denials.
Missouri Law: Your Right to Medical Care
Under Missouri workers’ compensation law, injured employees are entitled to medical treatment that is “reasonably required to cure and relieve” the effects of a workplace injury. This includes:
- Doctor’s visits
- Surgery
- Hospital care
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Assistive devices
If treatment is being denied or delayed, you have the right to challenge it. But it’s crucial to have an experienced Missouri workers’ comp attorney on your side to navigate the appeals process.
What You Can Do If Treatment Is Denied
If your employer’s insurance company won’t approve the care your doctor recommends, here’s what you should do:
1. Request a Hearing Before the Division of Workers’ Compensation
You can request a hearing to dispute the denial. However, the legal process can be complex—and the insurance company will have experienced lawyers on their side.
2. Speak to a Missouri Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
We can file motions, gather medical evidence, and force the insurance company to comply with your legal rights. We can also fight for additional compensation if delays worsen your condition.
3. Get a Second Medical Opinion (When Possible)
In some cases, you may be able to get an independent medical evaluation to confirm the need for treatment—but Missouri law allows employers to choose the treating doctor, so this step should be discussed with your attorney.
Why Choose the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann?
For over 30 years, Attorney James M. Hoffmann has aggressively represented injured workers throughout Missouri—fighting back when insurance companies deny rightful medical care.
- Direct, attorney-led representation
- Over $100,000,000 in settlements and verdicts
- Extensive experience with treatment denials and disputes
- We handle all communication with the insurer, so you can focus on healing
We know the tactics insurance companies use—and we don’t back down.