The Legal Reality in Illinois: There Is No Requirement
Many workers feel pressured to comply with an adjuster’s request, fearing that a refusal will lead to a denied claim. However, the law is on your side.
As Jack Epstein clarifies, there is no law in the State of Illinois that requires an injured worker to provide a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster after a workplace injury. You are under no legal obligation to have your words recorded during the initial stages of your workers’ compensation claim.
Why Adjusters Want Your Statement on Record
Insurance adjusters are highly trained professionals. Their goal is not just to “gather facts,” but to find specific reasons to minimize or deny your benefits.
- Eliciting Negative Answers: Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that lead you to provide answers that negatively affect your case.
- The “Zero-Value” Risk: A single misspoken phrase or a slight inconsistency in your story can be used by the insurance company to make your case “worth nothing.”
- No Benefit to You: In over 30 years of practice, Jack Epstein has found that there is nothing you can say in a recorded statement that will help your case—it can only be used to hurt it.
Expert Insight: Protect Your Case from Day One
“Our advice—my advice—is that an injured worker never, never give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and have always advised my clients never to give one because it can only hurt your case.” — Jack Epstein
Jack Epstein personally oversees these cases to ensure insurance companies do not use these high-pressure tactics to twist his clients’ words.
Steps to Take When the Adjuster Calls
If an adjuster contacts you for a statement, remember that you have the right to professional representation:
- Respectfully Decline: Inform the adjuster that you will not be providing a recorded statement.
- Consult an Attorney: Contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Focus on Your Recovery: Let your legal team deal with the adjusters while you focus on getting the medical treatment you need.
Your Rights, Your Future
At our firm, the client paid nothing until we won the case. We believe in protecting the integrity of your claim from the very beginning. By refusing a recorded statement, you are preventing the insurance company from building a case against you before it even starts.
Don’t let them put words in your mouth. Protect your rights by speaking to a lawyer first.
