After the insurance company of your employer has been notified of your workplace injury, they will assign an adjuster to handle and investigate your case. During your conversation with the adjuster, they will ask you some questions that may lure you into saying something that can reduce your benefits or deny your claim. So, to ensure you do not end up saying something that can be used against your claim, it is best to speak with an attorney from the Injured Workers Law Firm. Reporting your work-related injuries to your employer as soon as possible helps prove the link between your injuries and job duties.
Once you get a call from the insurance adjuster, never agree to give a recorded statement. Speaking with an adjuster can be tricky.
Even if a worker’s comp adjuster is not recording the call, they may take notes to have the information they can add to the one you have already submitted. The insurer will use this information to determine whether to accept your claim or deny it. During this conversation, your financial well-being is in the hands of the adjuster.
What You Can Say to the Adjuster
When you answer questions from the adjuster, ensure you stick to the facts. Never elaborate on your answers unless you have to do so. Do not answer questions that are overly probing because the adjuster will find missteps in your statements to deny your claim.
In addition, you must be honest about any pre-existing condition you may have. The adjuster can access this information elsewhere, so just be honest from the get-go instead of covering up your condition. A pre-existing condition must not preclude you from obtaining workers’ comp. However, hiding it gives the adjuster a reason to think you are lying about some things.
Lastly, give as much information about your workplace accident. Again, stick only to the facts instead of talking about other things with the adjuster. However, make sure you must be clear about what occurred to ensure there is a clear link between your injury and work.
What You Cannot Say
Once you take the adjuster’s call, avoid chit-chat. Otherwise, the adjuster can easily lure you into saying that can be used against your claim. Also, don’t answer personal questions like details regarding your family, finances, or home life. Such questions are not a necessary part of a workers’ comp investigation. Also, they do not guarantee timely benefit payment.
