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Adjusters Hide The Facts When They Investigate Workers’ Compensation Claims

Insurance companies are required to investigate workers’ compensation claims. They are suppose to pay credible claims and dispute claims that should not be covered. The insurance company receives premiums from the employer to handle the cost of the employer’s claims.

The money paid in premiums is money that could have gone to increase the employee’s wages. But, instead is used to care for those same workers who become injured on the job.

But, what happens when the insurance company uses the money meant to care for the workers to hide the facts of a claim?

In today’s story, we present a twenty-two-year-old female that inserted evenflow spouts on gallon soap bottles and then she screwed on the lids. Her job quota was 654 bottles an hour. She did this exact task twelve hours a day, six days a week. As a result, she started to have problems in her right hand. Her hand would feel like it was burning and she had problems moving her thumb.

She went to the doctor. After the evaluation, the medical provider determined that the hand problems were from the work she was doing.

When the claim was turned into the insurance company, they denied the claim and stated that the job was not repetitively traumatic. The young lady had a co-worker get a video of her line operation. It showed a man inserting the spouts, securing them with a plastic sledge hammer and quickly fastening on the lids.

Once the video was shown to the insurance company, instead of accepting the claim, they had the young lady and the co-worker fired. They hired an ergonomic specialist to create videos of the line and how it operated. They invested a lot of money in trying to change the facts shown on the video provided by the co-worker.

Fortunately for the young lady, MLF Legal was handling her claim. In the Contested Case Hearing, it was shown that the true video of the work demonstrated that it was repetitively traumatic and the insurance company’s video was just a recreation of the work.

The money spent by the insurance company was wasted and should have been used to provide the proper treatment to allow the young lady to recover.

The tactics that insurance companies used against you

Q1: Why would an insurance company try to deny my workers’ comp claim?

Insurance companies are profit-driven. Paying out claims affects their bottom line. To minimize losses, they may deny or delay legitimate claims—even when the worker clearly qualifies for benefits.

Q2: What are the most common tactics insurance companies use to challenge claims?

Common tactics include:

  • Delaying your claim to pressure you financially.

  • Denying the claim outright without proper investigation.

  • Requesting excessive documentation or medical records.

  • Hiring private investigators to follow you and collect video/photos.

  • Disputing the severity of your injury or its connection to the workplace.

  • Offering lowball settlements hoping you’ll take less than you deserve.

  • Scheduling Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) with biased doctors.

  • Misclassifying your injury as a pre-existing condition.

Q3: Can they legally spy on me?

A: Yes, insurers may legally hire private investigators to observe your activities in public places or monitor your social media. If they think your actions contradict your claimed injuries, they may use it against you.

Q4: What is an Independent Medical Exam (IME), and can I refuse it?

A: An IME is a medical evaluation by a doctor chosen by the insurance company. They often aim to find “evidence” that your injury isn’t as serious as reported. You usually cannot refuse, but you can bring someone with you, request a copy of the report, and consult your own doctor.

Q5: What if they claim my injury is pre-existing?

A: This is a common denial tactic. While pre-existing conditions can affect claims, aggravation of a pre-existing condition due to work is often still covered under workers’ comp. Documentation and legal representation can help prove your case.

Q6: Can they contact my doctor or employer without me knowing?

A: Insurers may contact your treating physician or employer for information, but they are limited in what they can legally discuss. A workers’ comp attorney can help monitor these interactions to ensure your rights are respected.

Q7: Why would they offer a quick settlement?

A: Fast settlements may be used to cut off future benefits and close your case before the full impact of your injury is known. Always consult a workers’ comp lawyer before accepting any offer.

Q8: How can I protect myself from these tactics?

  • Report your injury immediately and get medical treatment.

  • Keep detailed records of all conversations and documents.

  • Follow your doctor’s orders and avoid social media posts that can be misinterpreted.

  • Consult a qualified workers’ comp attorney early in the process.

Q9: What happens if they delay my benefits?

  • A: Delays are frustrating and can be financially damaging. In many states, unreasonable delays can result in penalties against the insurer. An attorney can pressure them to act or escalate the issue legally.

Q10: Do I really need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim?

  • A: While some straightforward claims can be managed alone, if your injury is serious, your claim is denied, or you face resistance from the insurer, a lawyer can help protect your rights, negotiate a fair settlement, and represent you in hearings.

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