Tips For Getting What You Deserve In Your Workers' Compensation Settlement
As someone who has been recently injured on the job, you are likely wondering how to get the best worker's compensation settlement possible when the time comes. While you can already see the bills piling up and your wages missing from your bank account, you may not realize your settlement also needs to contain provisions for future medical bills and other things.
To ensure you get the best settlement for your workers' compensation case, here are some tips.
Tip: See Your Own Doctor as Soon as Possible
Though your employer's workers' compensation company can legally require you to initially see a physician of their choosing, you should also see your own physician as soon as possible. This is important, because the doctor who works for the insurance company may not have your best interests at the forefront. Having medical reports from your own doctor will help negate the bias problem if you end up in a court battle.
Tip: Keep Meticulous Notes About Your Accident and Recovery Process
Since you will repeatedly be asked to provide documentation about your accident, specifics about your follow-up medical care, and other aspects of your case to the insurance company, you should keep meticulous notes about every aspect of your case. You can then use your notes to fill out paperwork and to keep all of the pertinent dates and information in sync.
Tip: Know the Workers' Compensation Insurance Company Might Spy on Your Activities
If you have an injury that's hard to prove such as back pain or a nerve problem, then you should expect the worker's compensation insurance company will send someone out to surveil you. The job of these insurance investigators is to sit outside your home and follow you around to see if they observe you doing yard work, grocery shopping, or doing other things you claim you aren't able to do because of your injury.
Tip: Hire a Local Workers' Compensation Attorney to Represent Your Interests
Finally, it is important you understand that your employer's worker's compensation insurance company may or may not try to give you a low-ball settlement amount when the time comes. Insurance companies are in the business of saving themselves money, and you should always hire a local workers' comp attorney to fight for what you rightfully deserve in a settlement. Hiring an attorney will be in a much better position to advocate for you and will allow you to pass that stress on to another person so you can concentrate your energy on your recovery.