Under what circumstances can an employer contest a workers' compensation claim?

An employer can contest a workers' compensation claim when the injury occurred during a non-work activity. This is because workers' compensation insurance is designed to cover injuries that happen in the course of employment. If an employee is injured while engaging in activities that are not related to their job, the employer may deny the claim due to the lack of a direct connection between the injury and work duties. Such a situation may indicate that the service provided by the workers' compensation system is not applicable since the injury did not arise out of the employment.

In contrast, the other options present scenarios where an employer may have reasons to dispute the claim, but they do not provide a solid groundwork for contesting it under the workers' compensation law. For example, the belief that an injury is work-related does not serve as a basis for contesting, as it's essential that the injury is indeed work-related to trigger a valid claim. Similarly, if proper procedures were followed, it wouldn’t warrant contesting; rather, it would support the legitimacy of the claim. Lastly, the perception that an injury is exaggerated may give cause for concern, but it does not eliminate the employer's obligation to provide compensation if the claim is valid and meets the necessary legal criteria.