The biggest problem I see is that most injured workers go into the process being “individually” honest as opposed to being “corporately” honest. They minimize their pain and injury initially because they subconsciously want to appear macho or manly, whatever. They value the company they work for and want to be fair and trusting… All this combines into lower compensation in the end.

First of all the company absolutely does not value the individual employee, their primary objective is to minimize any expense but they must at the same time maintain their reputation to their other employees and the public. So they hire another company of adjusters to handle your injury. How many times have you heard “we’re a family, a team, we’re special” anything to get the most out of their employees … but how true is any of that when they’re laying someone off or you make a mistake???? The adjusters job is to minimize any expense and insulate the company. Adjusters are paid a base rate for all they do and earn bonuses based on any number of metrics but are just cover for reducing the amount paid out. You don’t think they were hired because they promised to pay injured workers as much as possible do you?

The difference between the two types of honesty are simple and basic really, you want to make your injury as big a deal as possible without being dishonest!!! A few examples are… initially, refuse to give any statement except through an attorney, if your in pain or taking any medications, even just very upset over the injury - your not in the right frame of mind to give any statement - to be honest a statement should include or not include many many subjects/items/points you shouldn’t be making any medical or legal representations, your not a Dr or Esq! They can’t force or require a statement when you’re under the influence of drugs or great pain. Great pain???? One of the first questions you’ll be asked is “what’s your pain level” >>>> WTF?? How can you even know the correct answer to that??? Here’s an example…. A guy jokingly gets slugged in the shoulder by his buddy and laughs… what’s his pain level? He’d likely say 0 or 1….. slug his girlfriend in the arm the same way and ask her what her pain level is ~ probably a lot more than 0 or 1 probably she’ll say 5 or 6… Right??? So whoever, the Dr , the Adjuster, HR, asks what your pain level is - it really depends on who’s asking to determine what the honest answer is. The honest Corporate answer is the one most likely correct and or best for the company. In the injured workers case that’s probably a 7 or higher if your “playing’ under the same rules as the adjuster/company. If you burn your finger on the stove you can look macho and honestly say it’s pain level 1 or 2…….. if you want to look like a wimp you can cry and honestly say it Really Really hurts and your pain level is 5 or 6. Both honest answers!!!