The aftermath of a work accident can leave injured workers feeling vulnerable. The physical, emotional and financial instability can weigh on them.
However, not all insurance companies approach the claims process reasonably. After all, their primary business goal is to minimize payouts as much as possible instead of looking out for the best interests of injured parties.
So, while affected workers may contemplate accepting a lowball offer or an offer lower than they deserve to mitigate mounting bills, they must be wary about losing the chance to receive a fair workers’ compensation settlement that can pay for their current and future needs.
Watch out for these red flags
Even if an insurance company’s initial offer seems tempting at the moment, accepting it without thoroughly reviewing potential options can adversely impact how workers can fully recover from their injuries.
So, injured workers must exercise extra vigilance and spot the following signs of an unfair offer:
- Arrives too quickly: An insurance adjuster may offer a lump sum settlement way too soon instead of taking several weeks to months to investigate the case. They want to move things along before a victim becomes aware of the extent of their injuries.
- Excludes intangible damages: An insurance adjuster may dismiss the psychological pain and suffering victims endure due to the severity of the tragedy to avoid additional costs. In this case, a victim may develop post-traumatic stress disorder and require counseling.
- Discredits evidence of losses: An insurance adjuster may claim to lose or fail to receive proof that shows incurred losses. This can include hospital bills, doctor’s notes, medications and rehabilitation expenses.
- Enforces pressure: An insurance adjuster may employ high-pressure tactics to threaten or scare the victim, such as saying it is the best deal out there and is only available within a limited period.
Further, an insurance adjuster may question the validity of a victim’s claim. They may search for crucial nuances to turn in their favor. For instance, they may dispute that the worker sustained their injuries past the time they were supposed to be on the job.
Hold out for a better offer
Insurers often do everything in their power to get the better end of the deal and urgently close the case to prevent further costs. But injured workers can do right by themselves and their families. A legal team can help them navigate California’s workers’ compensation laws, build a counteroffer and negotiate fair compensation. Doing so can aid their healing and allow them to return to work.