Heavy machinery accidents often cause severe, life-altering injuries that come with overwhelming medical bills. Because the long-term cost of care for these claims is so high, insurance companies frequently push back and issue swift denials to protect their own profits.
If you are left footing the bill for a workplace injury, fighting back against a denial requires a strategic, legal response.
Common causes of workplace machinery accidents
Heavy equipment on industrial jobsites requires strict safety protocols, but errors can happen in a split second. The most frequent causes of these catastrophic site accidents include:
- Mechanical failures: Malfunctioning safety overrides, faulty brake systems on forklifts, or snapped crane cables.
- Inadequate training: Forcing an employee to operate specialized machinery like backhoes or assembly presses without proper safety instruction.
- Caught-in or between hazards: Getting limbs or clothing trapped in unshielded conveyor belts, gears, or heavy rotating parts.
Insurance companies often try to blame these incidents on pre-existing conditions or claim the injury occurred outside of normal job duties.
What should I do after a denial?
Receiving a rejection notice does not mean your case is over. In Illinois, you have the legal right to challenge the insurance company’s decision by filing a formal appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC).
The initial step in this process is finding out why the insurer rejected your claim. Rejections often stem from minor missing records or clashing medical opinions from the insurance company’s independent medical examiner.
Working with an experienced attorney allows you to systematically track down the missing diagnostic tests, obtain secondary medical evaluations and organize a solid case. Your lawyer will then present this evidence and speak on your behalf during the official hearings to appeal the denial.
Overcome an insurance rejection
An insurance denial shouldn’t be the final word on your recovery. Accepting a rejection leaves you paying for expensive medical care out of your own pocket, which can quickly lead to crushing debt or forced gaps in your treatment.