In most cases, hurt workers don't have to worry about something as major as a legal deposition. However, many workers are unfairly denied their benefits and are unable to work after an accident or illness caused by their job. Read on to find out more about workers' compensation insurance claim depositions:
Why You Need to be Deposed
At some point in your quest to be paid benefits, you may have been denied for various reasons. It's also possible that you disagree with an insurance ruling and want to fight it. It's not always easy to deal with workers' compensation insurers. They have little incentive to pay workers even when the claimant is clearly hurt and in need of help. Denied workers must follow the chain of appeals that lead to mediation, hearings, and more. One of those events that hurt workers must sometimes participate in is a deposition.
What Happens at a Deposition?
To be deposed is to answer some questions about your injury, your treatment, and other related issues. The main goal of a deposition is to uncover previously unknown information. Participants in the deposition might include you, your supervisor, witnesses to the accident, medical practitioners, and more. Depositions are about one or two disputed facts. For example, the insurer could be claiming that your alleged work injury was caused by something that occurred on your own time. You need to be aware of what issues are under dispute so that you can be prepared to address them at the deposition. Successful depositions can result in the case taking a turn for the better for many hurt workers but only if they approach the event with care and preparation.
Get Help with Your Deposition
When trouble arises with your workers' compensation claim for benefits, it's important to understand that you are fighting not against your employer or the insurance representatives, but lawyers who are experts in workers' compensation laws. The lawyers representing the workers' comp insurer are skilled at protecting the insurer against claims. Don't try to fight them alone. You can also have legal representation and it's advisable to seek help. Workers' comp lawyers can step in and help you at several points along the way—often getting claims straightened out before it's time for the deposition.
You can get the benefits you are being denied if you know your rights and find an advocate to help you fight for them. Contact a worksite accident attorney to get the help you need so you can be paid what you need because of your work injury.
