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What is the insurers investigation statement?
In workers compensation claims it is not uncommon for the insurer to arrange an investigator to meet up with you for the purpose of obtaining a statement about your workplace injury.
Usually in your house, The insurer investigator can request to obtain a statement from you and the statement will ultimately assist the insurer in determining whether they accept liability in your claim.
It is usually in your best interest to meet with the investigator and give them your recount of how your injury occurred. However, you must be careful that the investigator doesn’t put words in your mouth and that what is recorded is 100% correct.
We advise that you do not sign any investigation statement before first reading it thoroughly and seeking advice from a lawyer.
Do I need to sign the statement?
No! Most investigators will request you sign the statement urgently. This is because the insurer will often paraphrase what you have said or change some of the facts and circumstances surrounding your injury which may not reflect what actually occurred and may be in favour of the insurer.
It is important to have an accurate statement as if the insurer declines your claim on the basis of the signed statement, which is wrong, it will be harder for you to challenge the decision as you have already agreed to the incorrect statement.
What should I do if the insurer appoints an investigator and wants a statement from me?
Here are the things you should do:
1. Request a copy of the statement in word format
2. Make any changes to the statement
- Don’t be afraid to delete what the investigator has written and write what really happened
- If it is completely wrong draft a whole new statement!
3. Contact a lawyer to discuss the statement
Signing a statement seems like such a small thing to do, but in workers compensation claims it can make a big difference when it comes to challenging the insurers decision.
It is best to read all documents that the insurer puts in front of you, and if you don’t understand it or are not sure whether you should sign the document seek the advice of an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.
It is also important to remember that workers compensation claims are funded so you don’t need to pay for any legal advice in relation to your workers’ compensation claim.
Got more questions about your workers compensation claim?
No problem! Feel free to contact our office at (02) 8329 9500 or complete a free case assessment here.
