They are in the business of minimizing their losses, and their goal is to close your workers’ comp claim for the least amount of money.
The job of the insurance company is to save themselves thousands or even millions of dollars in benefits and medical costs. They have been known to go to great lengths to keep injured workers from receiving their workers compensation benefits.
If you have been injured at work, it is important to understand their tactics. They are in the business of minimizing their losses, and their goal is to close your workers’ comp claim for the least amount of money.
The Insurance Adjusters Tactics
Over the years, we have heard many stories from our clients about how these tactics have been used to undermined their workers comp case. For instance, an adjuster may assign a case manager to a claim to “help the injured worker manage their medical treatment.” While the person may seem friendly, he or she is there on behalf of the insurance company. If this is your case, you need to be very careful what you say to them because they speak directly to the adjuster working on your case. They have been known to tell the doctor to lower the disability rating or even ask the doctor to lift the work restrictions they’ve already put in place.
They May Be Monitoring Your Injuries
Missouri law allows your employer to choose the doctor that will provide treatment for your work injuries. In most cases, the decision is ultimately left to the insurance company, who routinely works with the same clinics and doctors for all workers’ compensation cases.
As a result, there is already an existing relationship between the insurance company and the nurse or doctor treating you. Normally, the insurance company should only be notified of your medical state if there is a major change for better or for worse. However, your nurse or other medical staff members may be providing frequent updates on your medical state, as well as other behavior they noticed.
For instance, if you casually tell the nurse you went on a camping trip, while still receiving treatment, this could be a red flag. The insurance company could assume your condition is not as serious as you say it is, and your entire claim could suffer.
Speak to a Work Injury Attorney
If you have been injured at work, you may be unsure of the tactics your boss or insurance company is using. It may not be outright denial of your claim. They may lower your disability rating or may figure out how to get you back to work sooner than you should return.
For more than 25 years the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has been helping injured worker receive the benefits they need and deserve. We will help ensure that you’re getting all of your benefits too, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept.
Call us today at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online case evaluation form to request a free consultation.