Many workers' compensation claims are relatively easy to substantiate and therefore are easily approved. But for certain injuries, like illnesses that built up overtime due to exposure to dangerous chemicals or substances, proving a connection can sometimes be difficult -- especially if you smoked or have other lifestyle factors could appear to contribute to your illness. In these cases your claim could be denied. This post will go over the workers' compensation appeals board and how it reviews your case.
If your claim is denied, it is heard by the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. The WCAB is the adjudicative body that will hear your claim before you seek assistance from the traditional court system. It takes cases that area appealed up from the Workers' Compensation Judge that would have heard your claim earlier.
There are WCABs located throughout Pennsylvania to ensure that you do not have to travel far to get your day in court.
At the conclusion of your hearing, your case is assigned to an individual Commissioner that prepares the opinion and renders a decision. The WCAB is limited in its scope of review, unlike the lower judge. The WCAB can only review a decision for the following issues:
This means that you cannot introduce new evidence to the commissioner, unless you can show it would have been introduced before but for the lower judge's error or judicial abuse.
If your workers' compensation claim is denied at the initial review stage, then you may want to speak to an attorney. The appeals board allows you to present evidence and make arguments in your favor. However, it is still a daunting process. Attorneys deal with these issues every day and can help you collect your thoughts and evidence so that you present the best possible positions to the appeals board.
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