It’s bad enough that you’re dealing with an injury. The last thing you want to worry about then is where the money is going to come from. But that’s the reality that many Australians face when it comes to waiting to hear back after making a claim. It sometimes seems like an eternity.
Even when waiting is involved in regard to the law, you do not have to simply sit back and do nothing. There are actions you can take to keep the process moving along smoothly. By taking an active role with those elements you can control, you may be surprised at how much quicker you can come to a resolution.
Begin with Thorough Documentation
The most common reason for a delayed claim is lack of information. Insurers and lawyers can’t do anything without proof, and each time you are requested for a document, the clock turns back. You can easily expedite the process by compiling any and all possible evidence well before you are requested for it.
Communicate with Urgency and Professionalism
The claims officers are working with a multitude of cases. If a person keeps quiet, their file will eventually be pushed to the bottom of the pile. It is important to communicate effectively. It does not mean making calls every hour, but it does mean that a person should react to a request immediately.
When an insurance company or an attorney makes a request for information, it should be supplied as soon as possible, if not within twenty-four hours. But if it has been a reasonable period of time since you have heard from them, contact them politely but firmly. A written record of all calls and emails can also serve as an important paper trail in these situations. When an insurance company knows they are dealing with an organised and persistent person, the likelihood of their letting your case fall between the cracks diminishes.
Know When to Call a Professional
However, there comes a point when it’s actually self-defeating to try to deal with it on one’s own. In cases when liability has been denied or when the insurance company is simply stonewalling for no apparent reason, seeking assistance from dependable compensation lawyers can, ironically, be one’s quickest solution to get it resolved. Compensation lawyers are well-aware of legislative time constraints that insurance companies have to play by.
One of the ways in which the attorney can apply the pressure is through the filing of documents in the court that will compel the insurance company to react within a short time. In addition to that, the attorney has the capacity to establish whether the insurance company is behaving in bad faith and whether the company is delaying the process unconscionably. Many people fear that the use of an attorney will contribute to the complexity of the situation, but the attorney will bypass the red tape that the layperson cannot bypass.
Strategise Your Negotiation
The last barrier is that of negotiations. This process may go on for a long period in case there is a great variance in the compensation amount. To overcome this issue, a target amount needs to be finalised in order to enter negotiations.
Resist the urge to make an outrageous claim to see what will happen, as this could bring the process to a standstill or cause the insurance company to withdraw, leading to a lengthy court fight. You can submit a fair number, taking into account your pain, suffering, and expenses. If a fair offer is made, you can agree to this, even if you disagree over a difference of a few cents.
Taking Charge of Your Outcome
Speeding up your compensation claim means being organised and proactive. By being prepared with your paperwork, aware of the compensation process, and prepared to call in the experts when necessary, you begin the process of taking a more active role in your own compensation claims. By speeding things up, you will be able to close this part of your life and concentrate on the recovery process!