4 reasons insurance companies cut off payments early

Regardless of the industry you work in, you always face the risk of workplace injury.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 2.6 nonfatal injuries happened on the job in 2021. When that happens, people count on workers’ compensation to help pay for lost wages and medical bills. In some cases, those payments may suddenly stop.

1. The insurance company investigated your activities

Depending on the type of injuries sustained, an employer or insurance company may hire a private investigator to validate your inability to work. If the person finds any evidence that you can easily complete daily activities, the insurance company may immediately cut the payments off.

2. Your doctor said you reached the maximum recovery level

At some point, the injury you sustained will fully heal, heal as much as it can or create a hassle you have to deal with for the rest of your life. If your doctor believes your injuries will not improve any further or have mostly healed, it may mean getting cleared for work. That results in no more workers comp payments.

3. You refused light-duty work

At some point during recovery, your employer may offer you an opportunity to do a different job with light duties. Even if you still need time to heal, the doctor may okay you for some work. In some instances, denying this opportunity may result in payments getting prematurely cut off.

4. You gained employment somewhere else

Once you leave a company, they no longer have to continue paying workers’ compensation payments. Even if ready for a new job, consider waiting until fully healed.

Getting injured on the job takes a toll physically, financially and emotionally. If payments suddenly stop, you may still have the right to get them back.