Talk to no one - watch for video surveillance
Do not talk to anyone about your on-the-job accident except one of the lawyers or assistants in our office.
You should always request identification so that you are sure who you are talking to.
Do not talk to the insurance company or to any lawyers hired by the insurance company without notifying us first. Be aware that you may be videotaped at any time.
The insurance company will try to catch you working (you cannot work and collect full workers' compensation benefits (TTD) at the same time).
They will try to catch you performing any of a variety of tasks such as:
gardening; lifting grocery packages; playing sports; mowing the lawn; lifting your children; driving;
performing chores inside and/or outside your home, etc.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED FROM DOING OR ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS WORK OR CHORES AS IT WILL AFFECT YOUR CASE!
They may videotape you inside or outside your home, leaving the pharmacy, or even leaving a doctor's office.
YOUR DOCTOR
You should return to each of your doctors as often as necessary and should always tell them all of your complaints.
If you see any additional doctors, be sure we are advised immediately of their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
Do your best to keep all doctor's appointments. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, call the doctor's office as soon as possible to reschedule.
Failure to keep doctor appointments could jeopardize the outcome of your case.
Notify us immediately if your doctor releases you to return to work (with or without restrictions).
RECORD OF COMPLAINTS
Please keep a daily or weekly record of your complaints and progress concerning your on-the-job injury.
This can be very helpful when, a year later, you are called upon to relate your pain and difficulties.
Please let us know if there is a serious change in condition, such as your admission to the hospital.
WEEKLY BENEFITS
Please keep an accurate record of all weekly checks. Record the dates the checks are to cover you along with the check number.
his will enable us to know exactly which check(s) are missing if you feel the insurance company has not paid you in full.
Notify us immediately if your checks are stopped or if they are more than one week late.
Keep any papers sent to you by the insurance company.
MEDICAL BILLS & MILEAGE
If you obtain medical bills, keep duplicate copies of all medical, hospital and drug bills and send these bills to us so that we can submit them to the insurance company for payment.
Your medical bills and prescription bills that are related to your injury at your employer are compensable by the workers' compensation insurer.
Provide your pharmacy and/or doctor with your workers' compensation claim number and adjuster. If you have any problems, please contact this office.
Keep an accurate record of mileage incurred for trips from your home to the doctor's office or the hospital. Please be sure your mileage is accurate, as the insurance company will check it.
Submit these records to us monthly so we can request reimbursement for your travel expenses (Go to the RESOURCES Link then To Print Center and Download a Mileage Form).
Pursuant to current Board Rules, reimbursement for medical services rendered, or mileage and expenses incurred, must be submitted for payment within
one (1) year from the date of the services and mileage expenses.
Also, contact us to keep records of any other expenses you may have in connection with your disability, such as hiring extra help.
Obtain receipts for all bills.
WITNESSES
If requested, furnish to us immediately the correct names, addresses and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses to your accident that you may learn of.
QUESTIONS
We will probably not contact you until we have something definite to report. We will be contacting you for depositions, answers to interrogatories, and when your case goes to a hearing, which may be in excess of one year from the time your claim is filed. If you have any specific questions in regard to these instructions or any other matter, please feel free to call or email us.
YOUR ADDRESS
Be sure to keep us advised of any change in your address or telephone number. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. We cannot continue working on a case if we cannot contact you.
WORKING
If something significant happens regarding your work status, please let us know. If you believe your doctor has released you to work, do not go back until you speak to us first.
The worker's compensation carrier must file certain documents and your employer must get a specific job release approved by your doctor in most cases to be a valid return to work.
However, if you start working again, stop working or are terminated, we need to know.
If you return to work, we need to know the name of the company and your weekly gross wages.
OTHER ACTIONS
In addition to Workmen's Compensation, there may be a number of other possible legal actions that might possibly be available to you.
At the current time, we have only accepted your workers' compensation case.
We do not represent you for any other legal action.
If you feel that you may have any other type of legal matter that you wish us to pursue, please bring that to our attention immediately.