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My Texas workers' comp claim was denied for "more information" and no one returns my calls. Who can help?

Workers’ compDeniedTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation · Injured employee resources View original ↗

In short

  1. Call the state workers' comp office (DWC) at 800-252-7031, option 1.
  2. A free state ombudsman (OIEC) can help you: 866-393-6432.
  3. If you still disagree, ask for a benefit review conference (Form DWC-045).

What this means

In Texas, the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) helps settle disputes with insurers. DWC does not pay benefits itself; the insurance carrier does. For help with your claim, call 800-252-7031, option 1 [1].

The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is a state agency. It gives injured workers free help. If you do not have a lawyer, you can ask OIEC for an ombudsman at 866-393-6432 [2][3].

DWC's steps: talk with your ombudsman or lawyer. Then call the adjuster. If you still can't solve it, ask for a benefit review conference (BRC). That is an informal meeting with the carrier and a DWC officer [2]. Use Form DWC-045. Include papers (like letters or emails) that show how you tried to solve it. You can send it by fax to 512-804-4011 or by mail [3]. If there is no deal, the next steps are a contested case hearing, then the Appeals Panel, then court [2].

Carrier time limits in Texas law: within 15 days after it gets written notice of the injury, the carrier must start paying or tell you in writing it refuses and that you can ask for a BRC [4]. If it does not contest the injury within 60 days after it is notified, it gives up the right to contest it [4].

Your next step

Call OIEC (866-393-6432) for a free ombudsman today. Write down each call to the adjuster with the date. Then file Form DWC-045 with copies of your letters and emails. The sources give no deadline for asking for a BRC; ask DWC at 800-252-7031.

Check it yourself

Read the two TDI pages above on disputes and on the review meeting. The carrier's letter to you should say what it still needs. If it does not, that is "Don't know yet" from these sources.

Where this comes from (4)

  1. [1] Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation · Injured employee resources · checked 2026-11-06

    Need help with your claim? Call 800-252-7031, option 1. … DWC does not pay benefits on workers' compensation claims. Insurance carriers pay workers' compensation benefits. Helps resolve disputes with insurers and employers.

  2. [2] Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation · Dispute resolution for injured employees · checked 2026-11-06

    Step 1 – Talk with your attorney or ombudsman. … Step 2 – Talk to the insurance carrier about the dispute. You, your ombudsman, or attorney, if you have one, should call the adjuster about the dispute. If you can't work out the dispute with the insurance carrier, then you can begin the DWC dispute resolution process by requesting a benefit review conference. … The Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) is a state …

  3. [3] Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation · About benefit review conferences · checked 2026-11-06

    If you do not have an attorney and want help from an ombudsman, visit the OIEC website or call 866-393-6432 . … Use DWC Form-045 , Request to Schedule, Reschedule, or Cancel a Benefit Review Conference (BRC) : Follow the directions on the form. Your request must include details (such as letters or emails between the parties) showing how the parties tried to resolve the dispute. Send a copy of your request to DWC by: …

  4. [4] Texas Legislature · Labor Code ch. 409 · Sec. 409.021(a), (c) · checked 2026-11-06

    Not later than the 15th day after the date on which an insurance carrier receives written notice of an injury, the insurance carrier shall: (1) begin the payment of benefits as required by this subtitle; or (2) notify the division and the employee in writing of its refusal to pay and advise the employee of: (A) the right to request a benefit review conference; and (B) the means to obtain additional information from t…

How we found this

We matched your question to 4 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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