What Insurance Companies Don’t Tell You

Last updated on February 17, 2022

When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, you want an attorney who is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the big insurance companies. Domer Law has a reputation for getting results. In fact, most of our cases settle without a court hearing. But if we need to go to court, we have a track record of success when in front of a judge, as well. We have won cases across Wisconsin, from Superior to Kenosha, La Crosse to Green Bay and Marinette to Milwaukee.

“If more than two weeks have passed since the employee’s (reported) injury, and no payments or ‘investigation’ letter has been issued, a reasonable applicant attorney (and the Department) may infer that a dispute has arisen.” – Attorneys Thomas and Charles Domer, from their book, “Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Law”

Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends – They Are Profit-Driven Businesses

With over 80 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation law, our attorneys know what the insurance companies won’t tell you, such as:

  • If your claim is denied, you do not have to agree with that decision. You have the right to submit an application for a hearing and battle it out with the insurance company.
  • An “independent medical doctor” (IME) is really their own insurance-paid doctor. The IME is not your doctor. You do not have to agree with the recommendations or opinions in the IME report.
  • If you have a permanent disability and cannot return to your job, you may be able to go back to school. Insurance companies rarely voluntarily offer to pay for a school program. The lawyers at Domer Law can work with Wisconsin’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to help you determine what kind of vocational training would be good for you and to get the insurance company to pay for it.
  • You have the right to see your own doctor or another doctor for a second opinion. You do not have to see the company doctor.
  • The insurance company’s nurse case manager does not have the right to dictate your medical care. You can rely on the treatment recommendations of your own doctors.
  • The insurance company’s nurse case manager does not have the right to be in the room during your medical appointment with your doctor.
  • You have the right to have your expenses covered for mileage driving to and from doctor appointments.
  • Many insurance companies or employers fail to correctly calculate your average weekly wage and thus undervalue your benefits.
  • If the insurance company has been investigating your claim for over two weeks, it generally means your claim is being investigated and will likely be denied.
  • While you cannot sue your employer, you may be entitled to additional workers’ compensation benefits if there was an employer safety violation.
  • You can make a claim for additional benefits if your injury caused disfigurement, including a limp or scarring.

The attorneys at Domer Law wrote the book “Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Law.” Our office is located in Milwaukee, and our lawyers represent injured workers throughout the state of Wisconsin. Consultation is free, with no attorney fee unless we win. Call 414-279-2647 or contact us online.