Choose the claim problem first
Start with the document or decision that changed the claim: a denial letter, stopped payment, IME report, settlement offer, work restriction, or hearing notice.
Before you rely on a page
- Keep the newest notice on top.
- Write the date received on the first page.
- Separate medical treatment questions from wage-benefit questions.
- Verify state procedure before assuming the next step.
Useful starting points
| Topic | Open |
|---|---|
| Denied claim | /guides/claim-denied/ |
| IME problem | /independent-medical-exam.html |
| Settlement checklist | /guides/settlement-checklist/ |
| Attorney fee questions | /guides/attorney-fee-questions/ |
When time is short
If a notice gives a deadline or hearing date, verify the next step through an official agency or licensed attorney before waiting for more reading.
Before relying on a general answer
Match the issue to the newest written notice, current medical restriction, payment history, and the rules of the state or federal program handling the claim. A useful consultation question names the document, the disputed point, and the decision or deadline that needs to be verified.