Workers’ compensation cases are often complex, and insurance companies didn’t get rich by just handing out big payments, so don’t expect a quick resolution to your case. That being said, if you are prepared and plan ahead, you can help make your case go a little faster. Today, we share some tips for speeding up your workers’ compensation case.
How To Speed Up Your Injury Case
You don’t have a lot of control over how fast your workers’ compensation case is processed, but sometimes the ball is in your court, so if you’re prepared, you can keep the case moving forward. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Keep a Journal – One thing we recommend to help keep your case on track is to keep a journal of important information and dates. The insurance company is going to want records of when your injury occurred, who you spoke to and what the conversation was about. If you have all this information in one handy location, you’ll easily be able to reference dates and times when asked by your attorney or the insurance company. A journal provides a quick timeline reference that comes in very handy when different injury forms need to be filled out.
2. Hire a Lawyer – This almost goes without saying, but we want to hammer the point home. The best way to speed up your case is to hire a lawyer. They’ll be able to make sure every form and claim is filed on time and ahead of deadlines. If you miss something because you tried to file on your own, you’re going to be stuck filing for extensions, or worse, your claim may be denied. A lawyer will be able to make sure everything on your end is completed and filed as needed.
3. Communicate with Your Lawyer – When hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer, be sure to discuss a communication strategy at the outset. Let them know how you expect to be updated about proceedings, and make sure they know that you’ll be available if they need anything from you. Most importantly, if your lawyer sends a text or leaves a voicemail, get back to them as quickly as possible. The sooner they hear back from you, the sooner they can keep your claim moving forward.
4. Listen To Your Doctor and Lawyer – An unfortunate reality in some cases is that clients derail their own case by not listening to their lawyer or doctor. If you’ve been informed that you shouldn’t lift more than 10 pounds or you need to stay off your feet for two weeks, don’t try to work side jobs or return to work in a capacity that’s not in line with your restrictions. Doing so can result in workers’ compensation fraud charges, it can disrupt your benefits payment, and it can lead to greater injury. Listen to the instructions of the professionals, and you case will have the best chance to continue smoothly.
5. Focus on Your Health – One final tip that some have found helpful is to focus on your health. If you’re stressed out over your injury claim, it’s going to feel like it’s taking forever to resolve. However, if you throw yourself into your rehab and focus on what’s most important – your health – it can make your case seem like it’s going by faster. This is easier when you have a trusted workers’ compensation attorney by your side handling the claim details while you focus on getting healthy.
For more tips for speeding up your workers’ compensation claim, or to talk to a lawyer about your injuries, reach out to Dean Margolis and his legal team today.
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