If you’ve had a workers’ compensation claim denied in Wisconsin, you already know how overwhelming the process can feel. When an injury keeps you from working and medical bills pile up, a denial can feel like the end of the road. But it isn’t. That’s exactly when you need an experienced work comp appeal attorney in Wisconsin to step in and fight for you.
At Axis Legal, we’ve built our reputation on doing just that. I’m Attorney Alex E. Eichhorn, and I’ve personally handled dozens of appeals before the Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC). These appeals are where insurance companies throw everything at you—IME doctors, surveillance videos, “preexisting condition” arguments. And it’s where I’ve secured some of my most important victories for Wisconsin workers.
Our most recent case against a major employer—Harley-Davidson—shows exactly what’s at stake and why skilled representation matters.
The Work Injury That Sparked a Wisconsin Workers’ Comp Battle
Our client, Josh, was an auditor at Harley-Davidson. His job was repetitive, grueling, and physically demanding. Hour after hour, he twisted and craned his neck, inspecting hundreds of painted parts under harsh factory lights.
One afternoon, after a long stretch of audit shifts, Josh felt a sharp burn at the base of his neck. It wasn’t soreness—it was something new and severe. He finished his shift but reported the pain the next day:
“I’ve been on Audit for 20+ hours over the last 4 shifts… base of my neck is numb.”
Medical scans later confirmed a disc bulge at C5-6. Classic repetitive trauma. Classic Wisconsin work comp claim. But that didn’t stop the employer and insurer from digging in.
Defense Tactics in Wisconsin Work Comp Denials
Insurance companies don’t like paying out big claims, especially when surgery and wage loss are on the line. In Josh’s case, they tried every classic move:
- Arguing “degenerative disc disease” instead of work-related injury.
- Hiring an independent medical examiner (IME) to say the work was “light duty.”
- Running round-the-clock surveillance, filming him doing normal activities like carrying boxes and coaching youth football, twisting it into a claim that he wasn’t really hurt.
These tactics are common in Wisconsin workers’ compensation denials. Without a strong work comp appeal attorney, most injured workers would be crushed under the weight of these arguments.
Winning at Trial: Building a Rock-Solid Case
We fought back at hearing. I focused the judge on the repetition and mechanics of the work: 20–60 degrees of neck flexion, 45 degrees of rotation, repeated over 300 times per shift. The treating doctor supported causation, linking the job’s demands directly to the injury.
When the insurer waved their surveillance footage like a smoking gun, I turned it around in closing argument:
“Videos of daily grit don’t erase years of factory grind. The timeline, the medical evidence, and my client’s credibility all prove this was a work injury—plain and simple.”
The judge agreed and ruled fully in our client’s favor.
The LIRC Appeal: Why Experience Matters
But in Wisconsin work comp, winning at trial is often just the beginning. The employer filed an appeal to the Labor & Industry Review Commission (LIRC).
LIRC appeals aren’t new trials—they’re fought on the written record, medical reports, and legal briefs. This is where experience really matters. I’ve argued many appeals before LIRC, and I know exactly how the Commission analyzes credibility, medical disputes, and repetitive trauma claims.
The defense brief attacked our doctor and leaned on surveillance footage again. In response, we built a tight counter-brief:
- Testimony matched medical records.
- Onset of symptoms lined up with marathon audit shifts.
- Repetition—not aging—was the driving force.
The Commission agreed, affirming the judge’s decision and ordering full benefits for Josh.
From Appeal Win to Settlement
Winning at both trial and LIRC gave us leverage. We didn’t stop at securing past benefits—we also negotiated a settlement that protected Josh against the very real possibility of future surgery. That’s the real measure of success in Wisconsin workers’ comp law: not just winning the battle, but preparing the client for long-term recovery.
What This Case Teaches Injured Workers
Josh’s case is a blueprint for anyone facing a Wisconsin work comp denial:
Think ahead. Settlements should account for surgeries and future care, not just past bills.
https://theaxislegal.com/videos
Document everything. Precise details—hours worked, timing of symptoms—make or break credibility.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tCJUeXLo7TU
Expect the playbook. IMEs, “degenerative” labels, and surveillance are standard.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JHrj_tY4w_4
Hire the right attorney. LIRC appeals are not the place to “learn on the job.” You need someone with proven LIRC experience.
https://lirc.wisconsin.gov/workers_compensation.htm
Repetitive trauma counts. Wisconsin law recognizes wear-and-tear injuries. You don’t need a dramatic accident to qualify.
Ready to Fight Your Wisconsin Work Comp Appeal?
This journey—from a grueling shift at Harley to a decisive LIRC affirmation and a forward-looking settlement—proves one thing: workers’ compensation in Wisconsin takes grit, persistence, and skilled legal strategy.
At Axis Legal, we’re proud to stand with injured workers through every stage of the fight. With my extensive track record of LIRC victories, I know how to push back against insurers and secure the benefits you deserve.
📞 Call me today at (414) 414-4814
📍 Visit our office: 15255 Watertown Plank Rd, Suite 200, Elm Grove, WI 53122
🌐 Learn more: www.theaxislegal.com
Axis Legal – Centered on Your Recovery.