To obtain the maximum recovery for your claim, we need complete cooperation and assistance from you. The following are general guidelines that should be followed in most workers’ compensation cases:
- Statements About the Accident: You should not talk to anyone about your accident except the lawyers or investigators from our office. This includes not talking to co-employees, your employer, your employer’s insurance company’s adjuster, or to any lawyers hired by your employer’s insurance company without notifying us in advance so we may be present if necessary.
- Statements About Injuries: If co-workers, relatives or friends ask about your injuries, answer their questions honestly. Do not complain if you do not hurt, but if you do hurt, say so. Damaging evidence is often introduced at trial when a co-worker, friend or relative that is subpoenaed to testify by the employer, is forced to testify that you engaged in a particular activity and did not complain about discomfort or pain when he or she asked how you felt.
- Preserve Physical Evidence: If your injury requires a brace, cast, traction or other orthopedic appliance, save it for evidence at any hearings. Likewise, you should keep all medicine containers, whether for prescription or over-the-counter medications. In the event you are using non-prescription medications, such as aspirin or Tylenol, save all receipts for these medications and forward them to our office shortly before trial.
- Witnesses: Immediately furnish us with the full name, address and telephone number of all witnesses you know of at the present, or learn of later.
- Medical Expenses: Obtain and keep copies of all medical bills of any nature. Periodically send all accumulated bills to our office. This is particularly important if you are receiving medical treatment over an extended period of time. You should remind each facility that you will need an itemized statement for all charges. You should also ask each facility if they have an authorization to release medical information that they prefer to use. If so, please complete the authorization so the facility will release any records that we request to us. Do not allow the facility to release records to anyone other than this law firm or yourself.
- Paying Hospital and Doctor Bills: If you have private health insurance, have them pay as many hospital and doctor bills as possible if the employer or insurance company is refusing to pay for treatment. Doctors and hospitals are much more cooperative when their bills are paid. If there is any outstanding balance and no insurance to cover the expenses, you should set up a payment plan. Most hospitals and/or doctors will accept even nominal payments to keep your account in good standing, provided you are consistent in making the payments on time.