Don't Sabotage Your Workers' Compensation Claim by Making These 3 Mistakes
When you file a workers' compensation claim after getting hurt at work, you may think filing a claim and getting compensated is simple. However, it is easy to make mistakes if you are not used to the process. Here are some things to avoid making seeking workers' compensation:
Not Getting Your Own Attorney
When you talk to the adjuster from your company's insurance company, they may seem nice and open to cooperating with you. You might not think you need a lawyer at all.
However, you must keep in mind that the agent is working on behalf of the insurance company. Retaining an attorney who is experienced with workers' comp issues can help you get a fair settlement, as well as prevent you from acting against your own self interests. For instance, you may be willing to give the insurance company a recorded statement; your lawyer may advise against it, because that statement can be used to find fault with your actions.
Not Writing Down What Happened
After your accident, you may be resting and recovering, but to help your workers' comp claim, it's important that you make notes about what happened. Write down an account of everything you remember, as well as the names of other people who may have witnessed the accident. You will be questioned by your employer's insurance company and your own lawyer about the events that transpired, so it is critical that you are able to accurately recall as much about your accident as possible. If you don't write down an account of what happened, your memory may fade.
Posting on Social Media Sites
You might think nothing of posting about your activities and taking pictures of things you're doing in your day-to-day life, but that could be a mistake when you're waiting for your workers' comp claim to be resolved. More and more, insurance companies are hiring investigators who look on social media sites for evidence of fraud. Make sure your social media profiles are set to private, and for additional protection, you may want to refrain from talking about your accident or anything about your personal life while the case is still pending.
If you can avoid making the mistakes listed above, you may experience an easier time when you file a workers' comp claim. Make sure you work with an attorney, like one from Zavodnick, Perlmutter & Boccia LLC, who can help you to be successful.