If the employee fails to notify timely, liability is not relieved unless which conditions exist?

If the employee fails to notify timely, liability is not relieved unless which conditions exist?

• A. Employer or insurer has knowledge, there is a good reason for not notifying, and insurer does not contest the claim
• B. Employer has knowledge only
• C. Good reason only
• D. The insurer does not contest the claim only

Answer: (A)

Timely notice to the employer or the workers’ comp insurer is required, but late notice won’t relieve liability if three things happen together: someone with knowledge of the injury or claim exists (the employer or the insurer already knows about it), there is a legitimate reason for not notifying sooner, and the insurer does not contest the claim. When all three are present, the late notice doesn’t bar the claim because there’s no prejudice to the insurer and the delay isn’t deemed unjustified. If any of these elements isn’t present—no knowledge by the employer or insurer, no good reason for the delay, or the insurer contests the claim—the late notice can provide a basis to relieve liability.

Timely notice to the employer or the workers’ comp insurer is required, but late notice won’t relieve liability if three things happen together: someone with knowledge of the injury or claim exists (the employer or the insurer already knows about it), there is a legitimate reason for not notifying sooner, and the insurer does not contest the claim. When all three are present, the late notice doesn’t bar the claim because there’s no prejudice to the insurer and the delay isn’t deemed unjustified. If any of these elements isn’t present—no knowledge by the employer or insurer, no good reason for the delay, or the insurer contests the claim—the late notice can provide a basis to relieve liability.