Workers’ Compensation Adjuster Isn’t Returning Calls – What to Do?

You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you suffered injuries at work. The adjuster’s role in obtaining the benefits you need is critical. If your workers’ compensation adjuster isn’t returning calls about your case and pending benefits, you may not know what to do. A lawyer near you can help.

Delays in responding to your phone calls and other methods of contact could prolong your receipt of benefits. When a workplace injury prevents you from working, you could struggle to support yourself and your family. While you concentrate on recovering from your injury, your lawyer can deal with the legal parameters of your case, including contacting the claim adjuster for you.

What Does a Workers’ Compensation Adjuster Do and Do I Have to Have One?

A workers’ compensation insurance adjuster represents your employer’s insurance provider. They will review your case, including assessing your injury or illness and their cause and severity. They will also work closely with a case manager to determine how quickly you can go back to work. Your claim adjuster will:

• Collect information about your claim
• Review the documentation you submit
• Work with others involved in your case
• Process your weekly financial benefits

A workers’ compensation claims adjuster plays a key role in your case, and you do have to have one. If you are represented by a workers’ compensation lawyer, they can deal with your adjuster on your behalf and may be able to keep your case moving in a timely fashion.

How Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help With My Adjuster?

A primary benefit of working with a lawyer rather than fighting for benefits on your own is their familiarity with workers’ compensation law. Your lawyer understands the adjuster’s role. When they are unresponsive, your lawyer will:

• Contact them on your behalf
• Contact their supervisor
• File a formal complaint, if needed

Your lawyer will not stop fighting for you or wait endlessly while your case idles. Instead, they will take charge and fight for the attention and attention to detail your case needs from all involved parties.

How Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help?

While you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you get hurt at work, obtaining them can be a complex process, requiring an incredible amount of paperwork and medical evidence. Your lawyer can help you understand the laws of your state and explain each step of the claims process.

Your Lawyer Will Clarify All Applicable Notification and Filing Deadlines

Your employer is entitled to prompt notification of your injury or illness. If you fail to notify them within the amount of time dictated by your state, you could inadvertently relinquish your right to workers’ compensation benefits. If you have legal representation, they will explain the appropriate timeline and work hard toward compliance.

Your Lawyer Will Help You Build a Comprehensive Medical Evidence Collection

Medical evidence is a critical part of your case, so your lawyer will work with you and your healthcare team to document every aspect of your injury and the toll it takes on your ability to earn. They will:

• Compile all case-related medical records
• Consult with relevant medical experts
• Consult relevant vocational experts
• Document the toll your injuries have taken

Their familiarity with cases like yours means your lawyer will understand the legal and medical parameters of your case. It also means they know how to build the strongest possible case for you. This also means you can receive all the medical care you need until you reach maximum medical improvement.

Your Lawyer Will Fight for an Accurate Calculation of Your Weekly Wages

Injured workers generally receive two-thirds of their average weekly salary in workers’ compensation benefits if they cannot work for seven days or longer. Your workers’ compensation attorney will fight to have your injury correctly categorized as:

• Temporary total disability (TTD)
• Temporary partial disability (TPD)
• Permanent total disability (PTD)
• Permanent partial disability (PPD)

To maximize your financial benefits, your lawyer will collect various forms of proof of income. They will also fight to have your degree of disability accurately depicted in your paperwork.

Your Lawyer Will Negotiate a Lump Sum Settlement Agreement When Available

If your case qualifies for a lump sum settlement agreement, your lawyer will determine its monetary value. They will

• Demonstrate the extent of your injuries
• Document your short and long-term limitations
• Establish your current and future medical bills
• Prove your pre-injury or illness income

Negotiating a settlement is a complex process. A judge must approve the final negotiated settlement amount. Your lawyer will field settlement offers and advise you on their feasibility and long-term financial impact on you and your family.

The Adjuster’s Denial Does Not Have to End Your Fight for Benefits

If your workers’ compensation adjuster stops responding to you and your request for benefits is denied, you do not have to stop fighting. Your lawyer will file an effective appeal and keep fighting for the benefits you need and deserve. They will:

• Prepare you and any witnesses for your appeals hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). At this hearing, your lawyer will present your medical evidence, proof that your injury occurred at work, and request an independent review of your denial.
• File a petition requesting a reconsideration of the ALJ’s decision if your benefits request is still denied. At this point, your case will be reviewed by a new set of eyes, and your lawyer will continue to fight on your behalf.

The final step in the appeals process is to petition the Workers’ Compensation Board and file a civil lawsuit. Your lawyer will explain each step of the appeals process, your rights, and your employer’s responsibilities.

Get Help Dealing With an Unresponsive Workers’ Compensation Adjuster Now

If you are cooperating with your claims adjuster and other persons involved in your request for workers’ compensation benefits, it can be frustrating when the workers’ compensation adjuster assigned to you isn’t returning calls. It can also be hard to know what to do on your own. This is where our workers’ compensation lawyer comes in.

Find out how hard our family-oriented law firm will fight for your medical and financial benefits. Contact one of our workers’ compensation team members at Laborde Earles today.