When an Adjuster Pushes You to Settle

When an Adjuster Pushes You to Settle

It is not uncommon for injured workers to contact our office after being repeatedly pressured by a workers’ compensation adjuster to settle their claim. Most of the time, the worker’s concern is straightforward: Is this offer fair? Unfortunately, many injured workers have no reliable way to answer that question on their own.

When we speak with someone considering settlement, we typically review several key issues: the nature of the injury, how long temporary total disability benefits were paid, whether there is a permanent impairment, and—most critically—whether the proposed settlement closes future medical care or other potential claims-such a wrongful termination, retaliatory discharge, etc. It often comes as a surprise that many injured workers do not know the answers to most of these questions.

That is not accidental. A workers’ compensation adjuster is not required to explain what benefits an injured worker may be entitled to under Alabama law. Their obligation is to the insurance carrier, not to the worker. As a result, important rights—particularly the right to future medical treatment—may never be fully explained before a settlement offer is presented.

Once a claim is settled, those rights are usually gone forever. Future surgery, physical therapy, pain management, or other treatment related to the work injury may no longer be covered. For an injured worker who still needs care, the long-term consequences can be severe.

If an adjuster is urging you to settle quickly or telling you that your case is “not worth much,” it is worth pausing to consider whose interests are being protected. Insurance carriers have lawyers advising them at every stage of a claim. Before giving up important rights, an injured worker should understand the true value of their case and the consequences of settlement.

Workers’ compensation settlements are final. Making an informed decision before agreeing to one can make a lasting difference.

If you have suffered a work injury and the comp adjuster is pushing you to settle your claim, if they are repeatedly telling you that you do not have a good case, or if you just have questions about your rights and benefits under Alabama’s workers compensation laws -don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation. Appointments are available in person, or virtually via Zoom if more convenient.  Powell and Denny would appreciate the opportunity to help.  And remember, there is no fee unless you win.

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Offices in Huntsville, AL and Birmingham, AL

Alabama Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

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Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 7 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry and selected as a Lawyer of Distinction.

+ Powell and Denny have successfully represented injured workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen, Centreville, Brent, West Blocton, Woodstock, Brierfield, Lakeview and towns and cities in between.

 

When an Adjuster Pushes You to Settle