One of the worst parts about serious workplace injuries is medical appointments. It can feel like you spend more time traveling than you do on your actual health. One silver lining is knowing that you can get your mileage reimbursed. However, when that request is denied, it only adds to your stress.
If you are seeking mileage reimbursement in a Van Nuys workers’ compensation case, do yourself a favor and hire an attorney from Glauber Berenson Vego. Not only will you get quality representation from expert workers’ compensation attorneys, but you will also improve your chances of securing reimbursement.
State law requires that employers pay for travel to necessary medical appointments related to a workplace injury.
People typically hire a workers’ compensation attorney when the insurance company delays or denies their request, their expenses are not fully covered (even with documentation), or the insurer disagrees about the necessity of their visits.
Small errors in mileage reimbursement requests can lead to delays and denials, such as mileage errors, incomplete documentation, or submitting after a deadline. The worst part is that victims are not always told the reasons for delay or denial.
One of the other most common reasons for denial is when employers or insurers dispute the necessity of medical appointments. They will use a number of reasons to resist paying mileage reimbursements, such as:
No matter the reasons an employer or insurer in Van Nuys gives for denying mileage reimbursement, a workers’ compensation attorney could help you work toward recovering the full reimbursement in your case.
Your attorney will begin by investigating the mileage reimbursement denial in your Van Nuys workers’ compensation case.
They will contact the insurance company to request a written explanation, review all your documentation for accuracy, and compare your reimbursements to California’s approved rate for medically necessary travel.
Next, a lawyer could gather key supporting evidence to strengthen your mileage reimbursement claim. This can include various types of documentation, including:
When they have the documentation in order, they may negotiate directly with the insurer. In negotiations, they can pressure them to approve and expedite reimbursement, and seek penalties if they delay your claim any further.
If the insurer still refuses to pay, legal counsel could send a demand letter outlining the legal and factual reasons they should pay the mileage reimbursement. After exhausting those methods, they may file a formal petition with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (or “WCAB”).
Successful mileage reimbursement claims can lead to substantial workers’ compensation payments in Van Nuys cases. Claimants are not just eligible for mileage reimbursement, but can also potentially receive interest on late payments, attorneys’ fees, and – in particularly bad cases – hefty penalties.
For example, if the insurer willfully delayed or denied reimbursement, judges might choose to levy a fee of 25 percent of the unpaid amount, or $10,000, whichever is less. If the delay or denial exceeded 14 days, an automatic penalty of 10 percent applies.
Mileage reimbursement in a Van Nuys workers’ compensation case seems straightforward, there is plenty of room for errors that can result in delays and denials.
The last thing anyone receiving medical treatment for a workplace injury should have to worry about is whether an insurance company will repay them for gas, tolls, or bus fares.
When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer at Glauber Berenson Vego, you are getting an expert in the field who will fiercely advocate on your behalf. Reach out to our office today to schedule a free consultation.
