Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency releases its 2016 Notice of Dispute Report and we identify those insurance companies with a higher than average percentage of disputed claims.
Michigan law allows an insurance company to dispute payment of workers’ compensation benefits anytime in the claim process. This means weekly checks stop and medical treatment is put on hold.
Our clients feel blindsided when they get a Notice of Dispute (WC-107). The reasons are not always clear and litigation is frequently necessary. But what happens to those people who do not fight back?
The Notice of Dispute Report published by the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency shows the number of claims that were initially voluntarily paid and then later disputed. Excluded are claims in which an Application for Mediation or Hearing (Form 104A or 104C) were filed.
The average for all insurance companies in Michigan was 7.8% for 2016. We use a 20/20 rule when creating our list. Each insurance company has 20 or more claims with a 20% or higher dispute rate.
Insurance Company Total Claims % Disputed Claims
Citizens Insurance Company of America 23 30.4%
Farm Bureau General Insurance Company 139 35.3%
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co of Michigan 96 38.5%
Farmington Casualty Company 20 20.0%
Hartford Fire Insurance Company 58 25.9%
Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company 38 23.7%
National Union Fire Insurance Company 44 20.5%
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Assn. Insurance Co 48 20.8%
Trumbull Insurance Company 36 25.0%
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
WCA: 2016 Notice of Dispute Report
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by kenteegardin.
