Start with the issue actually in dispute
Insurer says injury is not work-related is mainly a problem of causation evidence. Build the file around the written notice, dated record, or event that created the problem.
Documents to gather
Incident or exposure record, medical opinion, prior history, job duties, witness information, and denial letter.
Questions to answer before acting
- What changed, on what date, and who made the decision?
- Is there a written notice or only a phone conversation?
- Which medical, wage, employment, or incident record directly addresses the dispute?
- What state or federal agency procedure controls the next step?
- Is there a separate employment, third-party, leave, or discrimination issue that should not be mixed into the workers’ compensation question?
Important caution
Focus on the stated causation dispute and what evidence addresses it.