Can You Consolidate Multiple Workers' Compensation Claims?
You might think that you can only have one work injury claim. However, it's possible to have multiple work injury claims under certain circumstances, and you might be required to consolidate your claims.
Why Some Claims Are Duplicates
A duplicate workers' compensation claim is when you file multiple claims for the same illness. Each claim will come with the same injury date, and each body part will have the same diagnosis. This could occur because your doctor might file a claim on your behalf and it is later determined that you need to file your claim yourself.
How an Aggravated Injury Can Lead to a Duplicate Claim
You might also file a claim yourself and your condition might then worsen. Then, because your condition has become worse, your doctor might decide to file another claim on your behalf. Because the claim is considered to be a subsequent aggravation, you will want to combine this new claim with the existing claim. This is only the case if you suffer from an injury that is likely to be re-aggravated.
However, if your claim is not duplicative and is not a result of a subsequent aggravation, you will not want to have your claims consolidated because they are considered different claims. However, if you will be combining your claims and don't know where to begin, you will want to speak with a workman's compensation attorney.
How to Consolidate Your Workers' Compensation Claim
To consolidate your claim, you must turn to the state regulatory agency that is responsible for consolidating claims. This is a good thing, though, because your state regulatory agency will provide you with the right to appeal any decisions made and will give you the option to explain during a hearing why you think the decision was a mistake.
An Experienced Attorney Can Help
If you believe your multiple claims have the right to be consolidated, but you are not being allowed to consolidate them, you will want to ask your workman's compensation attorney for help. They will help you build a compelling case and will also testify on your behalf.
Your Attorney Might Advise Against Consolidating Your Claim
In some cases, consolidating your claims is the wrong move, and your attorney might advise against it. You might want to consolidate your claims to make them easier to manage, but your state regulatory authority might simply not allow you to do so.
Contact an attorney to get more information.