How to Deal with a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster After a Workplace Injury?
When you get injured in a workplace accident or develop an occupational disease, your employer will report your injury to their workers’ compensation insurance company to initiate the claims process.
When this happens, you will be contacted by a workers’ compensation claims adjuster to investigate your claim, ask you a series of questions, and perform their other duties. While insurance claims adjusters help facilitate and coordinate the claims process, they are not on your side.
That’s why you need to know how to deal with a workers’ comp claims adjuster if you were harmed at work. If you sustained a work-related injury or illness, it is advised to seek legal counsel from a workers’ compensation attorney to help you navigate the legal process.
What Does a Claims Adjuster Do?
A claims adjuster is a worker employed by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider whose job is to evaluate your claim, coordinate the claims process, and determine how much your workers’ comp claim is worth. Some of the duties and responsibilities of a workers’ compensation claims adjuster include:
- Investigating the claim
- Getting the worker’s recorded statement
- Gathering information about what happened and how it happened
- Interviewing coworkers and witnesses
- Approving medical care and treatment
- Coordinating appointments with doctors
- Deciding how much your workers’ comp case is worth
A claims adjuster plays a major role in your workers’ compensation case because they get to decide whether your claim should be accepted or rejected. Often, insurance claims adjusters are pressured to pay victims as little as possible and limit their settlements to increase their employer’s profits.
What Will a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster Ask Me?
When speaking with a workers’ compensation claims adjuster, you are likely to be asked the following questions:
- How did the workplace accident occur?
- What were you doing before the injury occurred?
- Did anyone witness what happened?
- Did you notify your employer right away?
- Did you see a doctor right away?
- What did the doctor say, and what did they recommend?
- Are you capable of working your current job?
Should You Give a Recorded Statement to a Claims Adjuster?
Most insurance companies request workers who file a workers’ compensation claim to provide a recorded statement. However, just because the insurer “requests” does not mean that you are obligated to give a recorded statement.
When giving a recorded statement, the claims adjuster will ask your permission to record the conversation and then ask you a series of questions about the workplace accident and your injury.
The problem with giving a recorded statement is that the insurer may use the claimant’s recorded statement to undervalue or deny their claim. It is not uncommon for insurers to twist the claimant’s words to question the severity of their injury or the validity of their claim as a whole.
It is advised to consult with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney before agreeing to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. Let our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer at Kobal Law review your particular case and determine the right approach to dealing with a claims adjuster in your unique situation. Call at 813-873-2440.