Meeting with insurance companies during a Toledo workers’ compensation claim can be challenging. Some employees make the mistake of thinking that the insurer is on their side, but insurance companies do not exist to pay claims. Their job is to pay as little as possible in claims so that they can make money for their shareholders.
However, approaching them as if they are the enemy is not likely to lead to great results, either. Instead, you need to approach any workers’ compensation claim meeting with your employer’s insurance company professionally. You should be prepared, bring proof and evidence, and document the process. One way to protect your rights is to get Schaffer & Associates on your side. We can help you understand the process, guide you through your claim, and represent you in any appeals.
Before a meeting, you need to be familiar with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and the workers’ compensation system. Reading the information available on the BWC’s website, talking to people who have gone through the process, and speaking to a lawyer are all good ways to familiarize yourself with the process.
Having all the relevant information available is also essential. You should collect all relevant documents, including medical records, incident reports, and any correspondence with your employer or the insurance company.
Before meeting with the insurer, it is essential to understand if your employer is self-insured or uses a third-party company. If they are self-insured, the process will be different, and it can be more difficult to remember that they are not on your side. Even if you feel terrible about the accident, the insurer’s overarching goal is to save their client money.
Many people struggle to gather documents and prepare themselves for an adversarial process. A lawyer can help prepare you for insurance company meetings during the workers’ compensation process.
Workers’ compensation insurance claim meetings can be highly emotional. While the insurance company is looking at finances, the employee is looking at their own quality of life, ability to pay medical bills, and more.
You need to remain professional. Even if the meeting brings up a lot of feelings, you should be calm and respectful. Having a lawyer is helpful during these times. The lawyer can interject to help you remain respectful, request time-outs, and otherwise help you refrain from any behaviors that can backfire on you.
A lawyer can also help by guiding you in answering questions. You should answer all questions honestly but also avoid making any unnecessary statements.
It is okay to ask questions during the process. You should make sure that you understand everything that is happening and seek clarification if you do not. Some employees will enter workers’ compensation insurance company meetings feeling confident that they understand the process. Note that you can always ask to reschedule the meeting after retaining counsel. This is especially important if the insurer is asking you to sign something that you do not understand.
The workers’ compensation process can be complicated, and meeting with insurance companies during a Toledo workers’ compensation claim can be stressful.
If you are in Toledo or the surrounding area, you do not have to go through the process alone. A lawyer can help you avoid the common mistakes employees make when dealing with insurance companies. Schedule a consultation with the attorneys at Schaffer & Associates to find out how we can help you.