Providing Information To Your Employer About Your Injuries
Submitting a workers’ compensation claim often triggers a request by the employer’s insurance company for a deposition. A deposition is a formal (and recorded) statement by the injured party, who is required to answer the insurance adjuster’s questions.
An injured worker has reason to be cautious about a deposition, but there is no reason to be overly nervous, particularly if you enlist the services of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can educate you on what to expect and help you prepare. At Hanna Leung, Professional Law Corporation, in San Francisco, we go to great lengths to protect our clients’ rights regarding the information they provide in depositions and throughout a workers’ compensation hearing.
An insurance provider can conduct surveillance on an injured party in order to watch for behavior that contradicts statements he or she has made regarding limitations resulting from his or her injury.
The Deposition Can Make Or Break Your Case
A deposition typically takes place at the office of the insurance provider’s law firm. The insurance company’s lawyer will be present, as well as your attorney and a court reporter. Even though the deposition is not held in a court of law, you will testify under oath and must provide complete and truthful answers. Your answers will be important to the outcome of your claim.
The insurance company’s lawyer may ask you about previous injuries you have suffered, previous health conditions you have been treated for, and whether your current injuries could be the result of anything unrelated to your work. You will likely be asked to summarize the treatment you have received to date for your injuries and describe any limitations you have as a result of your injuries.
We prepare our clients for the questions they will most likely be asked in a deposition and how to answer them properly. We will arm you with accurate information from your medical providers and coach you on how to answer questions so that you provide only the information that is asked for. We also can object to any questions posed by the insurance company’s attorney that we feel are inappropriate.
We Only Get Paid If You Get Paid
You only pay attorney fees if we obtain a recovery for you. Our attorney fees are controlled by California law and paid as a percentage of the back pay we recover for you. You keep 100 percent of the future benefits we obtain for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We will review the facts of your case and recommend the best course of action.