If you believe you’ve been harmed by a medical provider’s mistake, you may expect the hospital or its insurer to step in and “make things right.” Often, the first contact you’ll receive is not from the doctor, but from the hospital’s insurance adjuster.
That call can feel reassuring. The adjuster may sound friendly, concerned, and eager to “help.” But make no mistake – the adjuster’s job is not to protect you. Their job is to protect the hospital. Before you return that call or agree to a recorded statement, it’s important to understand what’s really at stake.
The Adjuster Represents the Hospital – Not You
Insurance adjusters work for the hospital or its insurance company. Their role is to limit the amount the insurer has to pay out on claims.
That means:
- They are trained to gather information that helps minimize liability,
- They are evaluating your credibility from the very first conversation, and
- They are looking for ways to reduce or deny your claim
Even casual, off-the-cuff statements can be used against you later.
Recorded Statements Can Be Used to Undermine Your Claim
One of the most common requests an adjuster will make is for a “quick recorded statement.” It may seem harmless, but it’s not.
In a medical malpractice case, details matter and timelines are often complex. You may still be processing what happened, reviewing records, or receiving ongoing care.
If you provide a recorded statement, please note that:
- You may unintentionally speculate or misstate facts,
- You may downplay your symptoms or injuries, and/or
- You may contradict later medical evidence.
Once recorded, those statements can be used to challenge your credibility or reduce the value of your claim.
Early Settlement Offers Are Rarely Fair
In some cases, an adjuster may quickly offer a settlement – sometimes before you fully understand the extent of your injuries.
This can be especially risky in medical malpractice cases, where:
- Injuries may worsen over time,
- Long-term care needs are not yet clear,
- Future damages (lost income, ongoing treatment) are unknown.
Accepting an early settlement typically requires signing a release. Once you do, you can’t go back and ask for more. This holds true even if your condition deteriorates.
What You Should Do Instead of Talking to an Adjuster
If a hospital’s insurance adjuster contacts you, we recommend the following:
- Politely decline to give a recorded statement,
- Avoid discussing details of your care or injuries,
- Don’t sign any documents or releases, and
- Refer the adjuster to your attorney.
If you have not yet retained counsel, this is the time to do so. An experienced Seattle medical malpractice attorney can:
- Handle all communications with the insurer,
- Protect you from making harmful statements,
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your case, and
- Work with medical experts to evaluate negligence and damages.
Contact Otorowski & Golden, PLLC
Please know that our firm is here to help if you were injured due to a medical provider’s malpractice. Otorowski & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm also have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties in medical malpractice cases. They never back down to insurers and fight for their clients’ interests every step of the way. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal representation you deserve.