Michigan attorney discusses workers’ comp adjuster tricks and how to protect your legal rights.
Workers’ comp is a safety net for employees hurt on-the-job. It pays lost wages to employees who cannot work and covers their medical bills. Many of the people who call our office live paycheck-to-paycheck and missing even one check is a financial disaster. Here are some workers’ comp adjuster tricks that employees must know about.
Workers’ Comp Adjuster Tricks To Be Aware Of
- Not calling you back or returning emails
- Rude behavior and bullying
- Mandatory recorded statement
- Asking for a blank medical authorization
- Calculating wage loss benefits correctly
- Late wage loss checks
- Not telling you all legal rights
- Not authorizing medical treatment
- Stopping you from choosing a doctor
- Filing a Notice of Dispute for no good reason
- Using a nurse case manager to manipulate restrictions
- Having a defense lawyer review your claim
- Sending to you an independent medical examination
- Forcing you to see a vocational counselor
- Using social media to cut off benefits
- Having you followed by a private investigator
- Threats to close your claim for no good reason
1. Not call you back or returning emails
The biggest gripe our clients have is poor communication. Adjusters are bad about calling people back and returning emails. People feel like they are left in the dark and have no idea if they are even getting a check. This frustration extends to doctors who cannot get medical treatment authorized. A lawyer can usually help you avoid these workers’ comp adjuster tricks by cutting through the red tape and getting the answers you need.
2. Rude behavior and bullying
Our experience shows that adjusters are friendly, but their attitude changes as time goes on. Watch out for rude behavior or bullying as these are red flags that indicate danger is ahead. This attitude usually foreshadows more workers’ comp adjuster tricks as the claim goes on.
3. Mandatory recorded statement
Michigan law does not require a recorded statement as part of the claim investigation process. Watch out for probing questions about your personal life, finances, and preexisting medical conditions. This information can be used against you in various ways.
4. Asking for a blank medical authorization
Insurance companies are entitled to review past medical records when you make a claim. They are looking for preexisting medical conditions that might justify a dispute. Giving them a blank medical authorization lets them go on a fishing expedition without limits. In order to avoid these workers’ comp adjuster tricks ask to limit the medical authorization to specific providers and dates.
5. Calculating wage loss benefits incorrectly
Our experience shows that insurance companies make mistakes, and they are never in your favor. Wage loss benefits are supposed to equal 80% of an employee’s after-tax average weekly wage. This should include overtime, discontinued fringe benefits, and even second jobs. Don’t fall prey to these workers’ comp adjuster tricks and be sure to watch out for lazy adjusters who do not get wage records and simply estimate benefits.
6. Late wage loss checks
Disabled employees are supposed to get paid every week. Payment is computerized, but it usually requires the adjuster to manually authorize dates to keep benefits going. Many people live paycheck-to-paycheck and cannot afford to have late or missing checks. These workers’ comp adjuster tricks are used to force people into settlement.
7. Not telling you about all legal rights
One of the dirtiest workers’ comp adjuster tricks is not explaining legal rights. For example, mileage should be paid to and from every doctor appointment. Attendant care should be paid to relatives who hep with activities of daily living up to 56 hours each week. Even home and vehicle modification should be covered.
8. Not authorizing medical treatment
It can be extremely frustrating when a doctor has recommended treatment, but the insurance company won’t authorize it. These unnecessary delays can make a medical situation far worse. Do not let the adjuster cause you permanent damage because he or she refused to do their job.
9. Stopping you from choosing a doctor
Michigan law allows an employee to select his or her own doctor after 28 days from the start of medical care. Watch out for adjusters who refuse to allow this because they want to control restrictions and costs.
10. Filing a Notice of Dispute for no good reason
Another one of the many workers’ comp adjuster tricks we have seen is for them to file a Notice of Dispute for no good reason. This is done to punish individuals who they believe are not cooperating. Make sure to contact an experienced attorney if this should occur.
11. Using a nurse case manager to manipulate restrictions
Insurance companies use nurse case managers as their eyes and ears on the ground. Watch out for nurse case managers who do not have your best interests at heart. This becomes clear when they try to interfere with medical treatment or work restrictions.
12. Having a defense lawyer review your claim
Did you know that claims are reviewed by defense attorneys even before a dispute has been filed? This is common practice and people get setup all the time. Having a lawyer on your side from the beginning evens the playing field. Do not let minor issues explode into a cut-off.
13. Sending you to an independent medical examination
Insurance companies use the independent medical examination (IME) to cut-off workers’ comp benefits. Some of these doctors make careers out of testifying against people hurt on-the-job. Avoid these workers’ comp adjuster tricks by challenging biased medical opinions.
14. Forcing you to see a vocational counselor
Michigan law allows insurance companies to use post-injury wage earning capacity (PIWEC) to reduce lost wages. Watch out for vocational counselors hired by the insurance company who say you can work in a job never performed before. These workers’ comp adjuster tricks are used so they can pay less on valid claims.
15. Using social media to cut-off benefits
We have seen adjusters make snap decisions based upon items posted on social media. Avert these workers’ comp adjuster tricks by making sure that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other accounts are shutdown while a claim is pending. Privacy settings can be circumvented so do not take a chance.
16. Having you followed by a private investigator
Insurance companies hire private investigators to spy on people and record video. They will sit outside your home and take pictures of activities. We have seen private investigators lie to medical offices and neighbors just to get information about your whereabouts. Private investigators have even followed people to our law firm parking lot.
17. Threats to close your claim for no good reason
Threatening to close a claim is done to force people into settlement. Do not get bullied into accepting a low ball settlement offer. Michigan law requires that weekly benefits are paid for the entire length of disability. All reasonable and necessary medical treatment should also be covered.
Need help? Call our attorneys now for a free consultation!
If you or a loved one was injured on the job in Michigan and were fooled by any of these workers’ comp adjuster tricks, call now (855) 221-2667 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced work injury lawyer. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you.
For more than 40 years, our lawyers have been helping people like you who have suffered from work-related injuries in Michigan. We understand the physical, emotional, and psychological hardships you are experiencing from your accident. We also have the skill, experience, and know-how to protect you and get you the best possible payout amount for your case.
To see what our own clients have to say about the caring, compassion, and communication they received from us, you can read in their own words about their experience here on our testimonials page from clients we have helped.
Remember, every work injury claim is different and must be negotiated on its own merits. Do not accept any payout amount without fully understanding your legal rights.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 40 years. Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.
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