If the workers’ compensation adjuster assigned to your case is not responding, you can hire a Waxahachie workers’ compensation lawyer (if you have not already done so) to try to restart communications.
Having an attorney handle communications on your behalf can show the adjuster you are serious about getting your deserved benefits. If they continue not to respond to your lawyer’s questions, your representative can try contacting someone else at the insurer or your employer.
Dealing With Unresponsive Workers’ Compensation Adjusters
What can you do if the workers’ compensation adjuster is not responding? If you have not yet hired a workers’ compensation attorney, now is a good time. Legal representatives deal with insurance adjusters regularly and can:
- Send a polite message that lets the adjuster know they expect a timely response
- Find out why the adjuster has not been responsive and what can be done to resolve the situation
- Interpret information and materials the insurer sends you about your claim
- Find the right people to talk to about a chronically unresponsive adjuster
It is unfortunate that insurance companies sometimes try to take advantage of the fact that they have more experience with workers’ compensation cases than injured workers do. By hiring an attorney, you level the playing field, making seeking the benefits you need much less stressful.
Why Your Workers’ Compensation Adjuster Might Not Respond
Your calls or emails to the claims adjuster can go unanswered for various reasons, including the following:
- They are swamped with other cases and have not yet had time to get to your claim or information request.
- Their employer has instructed them to deliberately delay your claim so they do not have to pay it, or so you will ask for less money.
- They do not have anything new to report and are putting off answering your communication until they have something different to say.
While there is no “good” reason for not responding to your queries, some of these reasons are more understandable than others.
For a free legal consultation, call (972) 938-1234
Workers’ Compensation Adjusters Are Responsible for Deciding Your Case
After a workplace injury, you have every right to file a compensation claim for benefits. You also deserve to have your employer’s insurance company consider your case fairly and promptly. That means the insurance adjuster should:
- Let you know when it has received your claim and estimate how long it will take to consider the claim.
- Contact you or your attorney with reasonable requests for evidence regarding your injury and losses (e.g., testimonial statements).
- Inform you when it makes a final decision about your claim.
- Respond to your requests when you are, for example, seeking clarification or protesting a claim denial.
Insurance Adjusters Decide What Benefits You Receive
It is up to the comp adjuster to investigate your accident, decide if you suffered injuries in a workplace incident, and calculate how much you receive in benefits. For these reasons, you will naturally want to stay in regular contact with the adjuster and ensure they have what they need to consider your case.
The insurance adjuster will determine what you receive (if anything) for:
- Medical treatment you received to heal from and manage your injury.
- The wages you missed while recovering from the accident.
- Disabilities that will permanently affect your ability to find and keep a job comparable to your old one.
What to Do If Your Employer Has No Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Each state has its laws regarding when employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance. For example, according to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Texas employers can decide whether to provide such coverage. Employers who elect not to purchase workers’ compensation coverage are called non-subscriber employers.
A non-subscriber is still responsible for:
- Providing a reasonably safe environment for employees by maintaining tools, storing hazardous materials, and ensuring workers receive essential equipment and training.
- Paying personal injury lawsuits filed by employees injured while on the job.
- Responding promptly to employees’ communications rather than refusing to respond as “punishment” for filing the case or to try to make the case “go away.”
How Non-Subscriber Cases Work
If your employer is uninsured, you might or might not have to communicate with an adjuster. If your uninsured employer is liable for the accident, your lawyer can deal with their legal representatives directly. However, if an insured third party is liable, you would have to deal with an insurance adjuster.
A personal injury law firm can protect your rights by:
- Gathering evidence to prove your claim is legitimate.
- Determining who is responsible for the accident (it may be your employer or a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or supplier).
- Assessing any settlement offers the liable party makes so you know if they are fair or not.
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s representatives until they agree to pay you fair compensation.
- Taking the liable party to court if they refuse to respond to communications or offer a settlement to cover your injuries.
Seeking Workers’ Compensation Should Not Be Difficult
Workers’ compensation benefits are a vital source of support to injured workers and the relatives of workers who suffered fatal job-related injuries. If you are seeking such benefits, your family has been through enough. You deserve to:
- Be kept apprised of your case’s progress regularly.
- Hire a workers’ compensation law firm that is compassionate and responsive to your needs.
- Recuperate from your injuries in peace while a legal representative handles all the hard work, from paperwork to negotiations.
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We Offer Responsive Legal Help for People Seeking Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Clay Jenkins & Associates has helped thousands of people just like you recover compensation after personal injuries. If the workers’ compensation adjuster is not responding to your inquiries, give us a call today to explore your financial recovery options.
We can help you with every aspect of your case, even receiving medical care, and give you legal advice specifically for your situation.
Call or text (972) 938-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form