Early denials draw scrutiny as cumulative trauma claims surgeRapid growth in cumulative trauma claims in California is intensifying a long-running dispute over how quickly insurers and employers reject the claims, and whether those early denials are pushing more injured workers toward litigation. More than 80% of cumulative trauma claims involve attorney representation, with nearly all claims filed after a worker’s employment ends ending up in litigation, he estimated. Many cumulative trauma claims fall under that exception because workers often don’t realize their condition is work-related until after leaving the job. That is why many employers deny cumulative trauma claims filed post-termination, he said. About a quarter of cumulative trauma claims carry no medical payment in the first 18 months, and 22% remain open after five years.