Denied Workers’ Compensation Claim in California?

A Denial Is Not the End — We Know How to Fight Back

Receiving a denial letter after a workplace injury can feel overwhelming. But a denied claim is not a final decision. In California, injured workers have the right to appeal, and with the right attorney, many denials are successfully overturned. The Law Offices of Zachary M. Kweller, APC has the experience, track record, and legal knowledge to challenge your denial and pursue the benefits you deserve.

Call Us for a FREE Consultation — No Fees Until You Win

(925) 663-8364

Available in English and Spanish | Concord, CA 94520

Why Was My Claim Denied?

Insurance carriers deny claims for a variety of reasons, some legitimate, many not. Common reasons include:

  • Injury alleged to be non-work-related
  • Missing or late DWC-1 claim form
  • Pre-existing condition cited as the cause
  • Employer disputes that the incident occurred
  • Alleged violation of a safety rule
  • Injury occurred outside normal work duties
  • Insufficient medical documentation
  • Independent Medical Exam (IME) dispute

Your Right to Appeal

In California, if your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you have the right to file an Application for Adjudication of Claim with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). This initiates a formal dispute process that may include:

  • Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC)
  • Medical evaluations with Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs)
  • Expedited hearings for urgent medical treatment disputes
  • Trial before a Workers’ Compensation Judge

Important: Deadlines matter. In most California workers’ comp cases, you have one year from the date of injury — or the last benefit provided — to file your claim. Don’t wait.

Utilization Review (UR) Denials

Even after a claim is accepted, the insurance company may deny specific medical treatment through Utilization Review (UR). These denials can be appealed through the Independent Medical Review (IMR) process. We guide clients through every step of this process to ensure they receive the treatment their doctor has prescribed.

What Makes Our Approach Different

Attorney Kweller spent years as a workers’ compensation defense attorney before switching to represent injured workers. He knows the exact tactics insurers use to deny and minimize claims, and he knows how to counter them. That inside knowledge is invaluable when fighting a denial.

Our approach includes:

  1. We review every document in your claim file for errors and inconsistencies.
  2. We obtain independent medical opinions to challenge adverse IME reports.
  3. We appear at all conferences and hearings before the WCAB on your behalf.
  4. We negotiate aggressively and take cases to trial when necessary.

Call Us Before It’s Too Late

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, the clock is already ticking. Contact The Law Offices of Zachary M. Kweller, APC today for a free, no-obligation case review. There are no attorney fees unless we win your case.

Call Us for a FREE Consultation — No Fees Until You Win

(925) 663-8364

Available in English and Spanish | Concord, CA 94520

The Law Offices of Zachary M. Kweller, APC | 1170 Burnett Ave. Suite J, Concord CA 94520