Injured offshore? Five questions to ask the insurance adjuster before you give a recorded statement
One of the most common questions we get from clients who are injured offshore is whether they are required to give a to the company or its insurance adjuster.
The answer is no, at least before you get your own independent legal advice.
Many times, however, the insurance agent will put a lot of pressure on you to get you to give a statement. Sometimes, they act like they are trying to be your friend or "settle your case quickly."
In my opinion, most of the time giving a recorded statement to an insurance company or your company representative after an offshore injury is a big mistake. Why? Think about it. The insurance company deals with injured people all the time. They know the law and the tricks and traps they can use to hurt your case. They don't get paid for paying claims.
If you are considering giving the company a recorded statement before getting your own independent legal advice, ask the insurance company these four questions. The answers may surprise you:
1. Will you agree in writing to accept legal responsibility for my injuries?
2. Will you agree in writing to pay for all my medical bills?
3. Will you agree in writing to pay for my lost wages?
4. Will you let me see the accident report and company claims file before I give a recorded statement so I can see what the company really thinks about my claim.
The answers to these questions will probably tell you a lot about what is really going on when it comes to "recorded statements."
Maritime Work is Dangerous
These tragic stories are all too common. The offshore dredge injury needs to take serious steps to increase the safety standards and requirements for their workers. Dredge work is dangerous, difficult work. If the companies don't make employee and public safety their number one priority, it becomes even more dangerous.
Read These Articles Before You Hire An Attorney, Give a Recorded Statement, or Sign Any Forms
Do you want to get helpful information that is written for injured workers and their families, and not the company or insurance carrier? In addition to our websites, please take a moment to read the following articles:
1. How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case
2. How much is my Jones Act, maritime injury, or offshore injury case worth?
3. What is the Jones Act?
4. How to wreck your Jones Act case
5. Financial Insecurity and Wrongful Termination - Two Fears After a Maritime Injury
6. What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?
7. The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act
8. The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.
9. What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore
10. What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time
11. Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?"
12. Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim?
13. What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit.
14. 6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea
15. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.
16. I was injured on a cruise ship - What are my legal rights?
To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:
www.vbattorneys.com
www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com
www.texasinjuryaccidentlawyer.com
About our law firm
Brian Beckcom handles Jones Act, maritime injury, and other offshore injury cases. If you want to find out more about our law firm and the types of cases we handle, please visit our Maritime Injury Law practice area page on our main website.
Or, you can send a message to Mr. Beckcom by using the Contact form on this website.
