You might think that if your employer is paying weekly benefits and has paid for medical care, you are not likely to have any significant disputes in your work injury case. As the case I am about to discuss shows, however, challenges from the insurance company may be right around the corner.
The case I want to highlight is not one of my cases. The decision in this case is part of the public record in that it is published on the web site of the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. I bring this case to your attention for several reasons:
- first, I want you to see how a State Board judge analyzes evidence
- second, there are certain elements of this case that are not discussed in the decision, but we can assume they are there because the insurance company did not raise the issue and the judge did not mention the issue. We’ll read between the lines to reveal these issues.
- third, this is a case that shows how insurance companies operate to cut off the benefits of a deserving claimant and to force a below market settlement.
The case I am discussing was decided in 2013 in south Georgia. Because State Board files are confidential, neither the name of the claimant nor the name of the employer is disclosed. Here is a link to the written decision.
The employee is a female who worked as the manager of a restaurant. In December, 2006 the employee hurt herself and developed neck pain which radiated into both hands and lower back pain that radiated into both legs. The employer accepted the claim and began paying her TTD (weekly wage) benefits. The employer also paid for medical care that include surgery on her cervical spine and surgery on her lumbar spine. [Read more…] about How Insurance Companies Try to Cut You Off