Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your doctor orders time off work but the insurance adjuster delays payment for you? It can be frustrating and confusing, especially when you’re already dealing with an injury or illness.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people have experienced this same situation, and there are answers to your questions.
In this article, we’ll explore why your workers’ compensation adjuster might not be paying you yet, what your options are, and how you can take action to get the benefits you deserve.
There are a few reasons why your adjuster may not be paying you yet. First, they may not have received all the necessary documentation from your doctor to verify that you are unable to work. This can include medical records, treatment plans, and work restrictions.
Another reason could be that your claim is still under investigation. Adjusters need to gather all the necessary information to determine if your claim is valid and if you are eligible for benefits. This can take time, especially if there are discrepancies or inconsistencies in your claim.
It’s also possible that there is a delay in processing your claim due to administrative issues or a backlog of claims. Adjusters may have a large volume of claims to process, and yours may not be prioritized until they have more information or resources available.
One of the laws that Gov. McCrory enacted prohibited the Industrial Commission from forcing an employer to decide to accept or deny the claim within a month of having actual written knowledge of the claim. Thus, the adjuster has thirty days within which to hold back on all payment without any repercussions against her whatsoever.
It is our observation from speaking with a lot of claimants with modest injuries that they are sorely tempted to give up their claim and beg the doctor to return them to full duty because they cannot afford to go a whole month without pay. While some adjusters may dispute the insinuation that this is a goal of theirs, the fact that it occurs is beyond dispute.
If you do not have a note from a doctor taking you out of work, and if the doctor wasn’t one the adjuster or the employer sent you to, then you can be assured that the checks are going to be a little slower getting started. And if you have a note returning you to work but you haven’t gone back because it hurts too much – without another out-of-work note from the doctor it’s going to be difficult. It can be done but it often requires an attorney’s help in doing so.
If your adjuster is not paying you yet, it can be frustrating and stressful. However, there are several options you can take to resolve the situation:
The first step is to contact your adjuster and ask for an explanation as to why you have not received payment yet. They may have encountered a delay or require additional information from you.
If your doctor has taken you out of work, your employer may have information that can help you get paid. They may be able to provide documentation or communicate with the adjuster on your behalf.
If your adjuster is not responding or taking too long to pay, you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department. This can help speed up the process and ensure that your claim is handled properly.
If all else fails, you may need to hire an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation cases. They can help you navigate the process and ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Remember, it is important to stay calm and persistent when dealing with an adjuster who is not paying you yet. Keep detailed records of all communication and take action as needed to protect your rights.
Car wrecks can be terrifying experiences that can leave you feeling shaken and unsure of what to do next. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a serious collision, the aftermath of a car wreck can be overwhelming and confusing. The main question you may also ask is, “What should I do after a car wreck?”
Victims of car accidents are often in situations that they don’t understand or know how to deal with. In addition, there may be medical issues or insurance questions. To protect your rights, you need to know what to do after an accident.
The personal injury attorneys at Oxner + Permar Law has decades of experience helping accident victims get fair compensation for their injuries. Here are a few tips about what to do if you are in a car wreck.
a. At the accident: Get, or ask someone else to get, pictures of the scene and the vehicles involved. Get the names and phone numbers of people who saw the accident.
b. A few days later: Get a copy of the police officer’s accident report. This report typically includes what each person said, any witness comments, and a picture showing the vehicles positions. The report may be available online within a few days after the accident. The accident reports are helpful but sometimes incomplete or not quite accurate.
If you go to the hospital be sure to tell your doctors everywhere you hurt. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure that your doctor understands exactly what your problems are. It is important to know that the other driver’s insurance company is not going to pay your medical bills, or pay you anything, until your case settles. So, if you have health insurance – use it! Using your health insurance will allow you to get medical care when you need it and keep your medical providers from sending your bills to collection agents.
You may also receive a telephone call a day or two after the accident from an insurance adjuster who represents the other vehicle’s driver. Adjusters typically ask detailed questions about how the accident happened, the extent that your vehicle was damaged, and the nature of your injuries, if any. Be aware, however, that some of the questions asked by the adjuster are designed to determine whether you may have done anything that would indicate that you were at fault. For this reason you may wish to decline speaking to the adjuster beyond telling the adjuster that you were injured, you need a rental vehicle, and/or that you need to have your vehicle repaired, until you have the chance to speak with an attorney.
Ask your insurance agent if you have “Medical Payments” coverage on your policy. This type of insurance may pay $1,000, $2,000, $5,000 or more towards your medical bills. That money can help you to pay for deductibles and co-pays that begin piling up after an accident.
Have you ever felt like someone was watching you? Maybe you’ve noticed a car parked down the street that never seems to move or a stranger following you in a store. It’s a creepy feeling that can leave you wondering, can they really put a private investigator on me?
They can and they will. It makes no sense to us, but it is legal for private investigators to follow you and film you. Why this isn’t stalking is beyond our understanding. Some insurance companies such as Stonewood use private investigators in a very large percentage of their cases. We should note that Stonewood has repeatedly complained that we say this and have, through their attorneys, suggested that they would file ethics charges against us if we didn’t stop. Yet even some of those attorneys admit that what we are saying is true.
The law is that a private investigator is not supposed to trespass, nor are they supposed to be peering into your windows after dark, tapping into your phone lines, or placing a tracking device on your vehicles. We’ve heard numerous stories of investigators violating all of those rules.
Oxner + Permar Law suggests that the best way to protect yourself is to be aware that private investigators exist and could be spying on you. If you believe you are being watched, you can contact a lawyer and ask for advice.
Afternoon naps, limited household chores, and unscheduled days lounging around the house. Looking from the outside, being a Social Security Disability (SSD) recipient seems a like a great deal. Receive income without working? Fantastic! But can you one be really living the high life on disability?
What some people do not know is that those afternoon naps may be required because of chronic fatigue or negative side-effects of a prescribed medication. Household chores are limited because the disabled person is physically unable to bend/stoop/push/pull/lift without excruciating pain. Lastly, staying at home may be the only option if driving causes intense pain or being in social situations induces paralyzing panic attacks.
Some people believe the current SSD program encourages able-bodied people to stay out of work. While this dream-world might be true for a very small percentage of cases, if we look a little closer, a different picture begins to appear.
As of January 2024, the average monthly benefit for a Disability recipient was $1,714.75. That makes for a yearly income of $20,577, which is only $5,517.00 above the 2024 Poverty Guideline for a one-person household. Looking at these numbers, it becomes clear that Disability payments do not provide for luxury goods.
Just in case you’re curious – in 2024 the average able-bodied American’s salary is $59,228 a year.
Aside from the limited financial aspects, it is also important to remember that the majority of individuals receiving Disability payments are battling severe medical problems. Health dominates their thoughts, controls their actions, and affects their relationships with family, friends, and loved ones.
Lastly, did you know that 1 out of every 5 males and 1 out of every 7 females on Disability will die within 5 years of getting approved? This dire statistic supports the idea that those individuals would not have been active within the workforce, regardless of if they were on disability or not.
The Social Security Administration’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot can be found at: http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/
Have you ever wondered, “Can private investigators take pictures of your family or yourself without your consent?” A lot of people ask the same thing in slightly different ways: what are private investigators allowed to do, what can private investigators do legally, and how do I know if I’m being investigated? With the increasing use of private investigators in workers’ compensation, child custody and personal injury cases, it’s important to understand your rights and the limits on surveillance.
There are a few common reasons why a private investigator may want to take pictures of you or your family.
So yes, there are real-world situations in North Carolina and elsewhere where an investigator will photograph not just you, but your spouse, partner or kids.
Unfortunately, the answer to this is yes. We have pretty credible evidence of investigators following spouses of injured workers. In at least some of these instances it’s been done in a way that scared the heck out of the client’s wife. In another, case the investigator closely followed the teenage girlfriend of our client’s son, doing so for 15-20 minutes down a dark country road at night.
Private investigators have the legal right to take pictures of you and your family in public places. However, there are steps you can take to protect your family’s privacy.
Firstly, be aware of your surroundings. If you notice someone taking pictures or following you, don’t hesitate to ask them why they are doing so or to call the police. Secondly, be cautious of what you post on social media. Private investigators can use social media to gather information about your family, so be careful about sharing personal details online.
Another way to protect your family’s privacy is to install security cameras around your home. This can deter private investigators from taking pictures or videos of your family without consent. Additionally, you can also hire a private security firm to provide protection for your family.
It’s important to remember that private investigators are bound by laws and regulations, and there are limits to what they can legally do. If you suspect that a private investigator is crossing the line, it’s important to consult with a lawyer to protect your family’s privacy and rights.
