What should you do if an employer directs you to deny a compensable claim?

• A. Ignore the employer
• B. Deny the claim
• C. Deny the claim based on information from the employer
• D. Pay benefits if they are due

Answer: (D)

When handling a claim, decisions must be driven by medical evidence and the workers’ compensation statute, not by an employer’s directive. If the evidence shows the claim is compensable, benefits must be paid as due, regardless of pressure to deny. This protects the employee’s rights to medical care and wage replacement and keeps the claim handling compliant with the law and regulatory requirements. If you encounter a coercive denial directive, document the guidance, review the medical and statutory basis for compensability, and seek guidance from a supervisor or legal counsel rather than denying simply to satisfy the employer. Denying a compensable claim based on employer input ignores the evidence and the rules that govern eligibility for benefits.