At first, Insurance Adjusters may seem incredibly helpful—checking in on you, making sure you get medical treatment, and even reassuring you that you don’t need a lawyer. It almost feels like they’re looking out for you. But here’s the real question: Are they really on your side? Let's get into it!
Insurance adjusters know that if they can get you to trust them early, you’re less likely to question what they’re doing.
The friendlier they seem, the more comfortable you’ll be sharing details about your injury, your treatment, and even your personal situation—all of which they can use against you later. And if they can convince you that you don’t need a lawyer? Even better for them, because it means they have full control over your claim.
Here’s what you need to remember: They don’t work for you—they work for the insurance company. Their job isn’t to make sure you’re taken care of; their job is to keep costs down for their employer. So while they might act helpful in the beginning, that attitude can shift fast—especially if your medical bills start stacking up or your recovery takes longer than they expected.
Talking to a workers' comp adjuster might feel like just another phone call, but everything you say can be used against you. Even a simple comment can be twisted to delay your benefits, reduce your payout, or even get your claim denied.
If you have to speak with the adjuster (though your lawyer should handle most of it), stick to the basics and don’t over-explain:
There are a few things you should never bring up, because they can be used to lower or deny your claim:
The less you say, the better off you’ll be.
The best move? Don’t talk to them at all. Once you hire a lawyer, the adjuster has to go through them instead of you. That means no more pressure, no more trick questions, and no more worrying about what you might say wrong.
1. Asking for a Recorded or Written Statement
They say they need your statement “for the record” or to “speed things up,” but they’re really looking for something to use against you. If they ask, “How are you feeling?” and you reply, “I’m doing okay,” they may later claim you aren’t really injured. Never give a recorded or written statement without a lawyer. Just say, “Please direct any questions to my attorney.”
2. Watching Your Social Media
Adjusters and investigators check your social media for anything that contradicts your claim. Even a picture of you at a family barbecue could be used against you. They may argue, “If you’re in that much pain, how are you standing and smiling?” Make your accounts private, don’t post about your injury, and ask friends and family not to tag you.
3. Sending an Investigator to Follow You
Some insurance companies hire private investigators to follow you in public, hoping to catch something they can twist. If you struggle to lift a grocery bag but they snap a picture of you carrying a small one, they may claim, “If you can carry groceries, you can work.” Assume you’re always being watched, follow your doctor’s restrictions, and if you spot an investigator, inform your lawyer.
4. Pressuring You to Go Back to Work Too Soon
They may send a letter saying, “The doctor cleared you for light duty,” but that doctor works for the insurance company—not you. Their goal is to stop paying benefits as soon as possible. Listen to your own doctor, not theirs. If they pressure you to return, talk to your lawyer first.
5. Miscalculating Your Benefits
Adjusters often "accidentally" miscalculate your average weekly wage (AWW), leaving out overtime, bonuses, or a second job—costing you thousands. Keep copies of pay stubs, tax returns, and wage records, and have a lawyer review your benefits.
6. Offering a Lowball Settlement
They may act like their first offer is the best you’ll get, hoping you’ll take it before realizing your case is worth more. If they offer $20,000 but your injury is worth $40,000 or more, they win. Never accept a settlement without a lawyer reviewing it. Make sure you consider future medical costs and lost wages.
1. Keep Good Records
Having solid documentation can save you a ton of headaches if there’s ever a dispute. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and reports. Any time you talk to the adjuster, write down the date, time, and what was said. Save every email, letter, and voicemail so you have proof of what’s going on.
2. Keep Conversations Short and to the Point
The more you talk to the adjuster, the more chances they have to twist your words. Keep your answers brief and factual. If they ask how you’re feeling, just say, “I’m following my doctor’s recommendations.” If they push for more details, tell them, “Please speak to my attorney.” Once you have a lawyer, they must go through them instead of you.
3. Watch What You Post Online
Adjusters and investigators love to dig through social media looking for anything they can use against you. Even something innocent—like a picture at a family gathering—could be twisted into, “See? They’re not really injured.” Set your accounts to private, don’t post about your injury, and ask friends and family not to tag you in anything.
4. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Skipping appointments or not following your treatment plan gives the insurance company an excuse to cut your benefits. Go to every appointment, keep track of your treatments, and stick to your doctor’s restrictions. If the adjuster suggests going back to work early, ignore them—only return when your doctor says you’re ready.
5. Don’t Take Legal Advice from the Adjuster
Adjusters love to say things like, “You don’t need a lawyer” or “This is just how the system works.” Don’t fall for it. They work for the insurance company—not you. Get a second opinion from a workers’ comp attorney and never assume the adjuster is telling you the full story. Workers’ comp laws exist to protect you, not them.
A classic insurance trick is convincing you not to get a lawyer. Adjusters might act helpful, saying a lawyer will slow things down or cost you money. They may even claim, “You’ll end up with less because lawyers take a fee.”
Let’s be real—they don’t say this for your benefit. Once you have an attorney, they can’t get away with delaying treatment, denying claims, or lowballing your settlement. Keeping you in the dark saves them money.
At first, they’re extra friendly to gain your trust. But as bills pile up and your case drags on, that kindness disappears. Calls go unanswered, treatments get denied, and payments slow down. By the time many injured workers realize they should’ve had a lawyer from the start, they’re already scrambling to fix things.
If an adjuster tells you not to get a lawyer, that’s a red flag. It means they know you could get more with legal help. Don’t let them make that decision for you.
Getting a settlement offer might seem like a win—until you realize it’s way too low. This happens all the time. Someone handling their case alone gets an offer—say $15,000 for a serious injury. It sounds reasonable, until a lawyer looks at it and says, “This should be at least $30,000.” A couple of calls later, the insurance company magically “finds” more money, and that worker walks away with double.
Why didn’t they offer that from the start? Because they didn’t have to. Insurance companies start low, hoping you’ll take it. If you push back, suddenly they’re willing to negotiate.
Never accept the first offer without checking with a lawyer. If they’re offering money, they owe you something—the question is, are they paying what you deserve, or just hoping you’ll take the lowest amount possible?
You don’t have to figure this all out on your own. If you have questions about your case, your benefits, or whether the insurance company is treating you fairly, let’s talk.
Give me, Rex Zachofsky, a call at 212-406-8989—no pressure, no commitment, just a conversation to make sure you’re on the right track. Whether you just need some guidance or you're ready for legal representation, I’m here to help.
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