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Thread Title: investigators in the bushes?
Created On Wednesday May 25, 2005 12:39 PM


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Tom Joad
Junior Member

Posts: 14
Joined: Oct 2005

Sunday October 30, 2005 12:42 AM

"One of the great lessons of life. People treat you back in the same way you treat them. If you treat them politely they will treat you politely. On the other hand if you treat them in an impolite, disrespectful or unfriendly way they will treat you back in the same way. You almost always get back in the same coin that you give."

Boy are you naive, about more than just work comp too. Seriously, your whole post could be used in a psych 101 class to demonstrate co-dependent personality type.

"Insurance companies are entitled to do as they please, its their money."

No, they have to adhere to laws, but they often don't, so people get attorneys.

As for the other stuff about how you empathize with the IC for putting surveillance on folks: Sure it makes sense from a business perspective (even if you are prince charming to the adjuster), but it feels very creepy to have somebody following you. It is an instinct thing. For millions of years if something was watching us from a distance, it usually meant that it was going to try to eat, or at least try to pick a fight with us. Unless you are the type of person who keeps singing along with the radio and driving at the same speed when a cop is behind you, then you will probably not like being followed, regardless of the "legitimacy" of your injury.

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STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
Senior Member

Posts: 990
Joined: Jun 2002

Sunday October 30, 2005 3:36 AM

"Insurance companies are entitled to do as they please, its their money."

With all due respect, you are incorrect in that statement, the 'money' belongs to the employer. They are the ones who pay the premium to the IC to provide the benefits. And benefits are the IC's 'product', that's what they are there for. It's the IC responsibility to provide all the benefits due to the IW 'under the law'.
But when you have and adjuster who denies first and asks later "what's it for" ...that's not providing benefits. NOT ALL adjusters fall into this catagory. You'll always find one that has 'bad hair days'...but those are the days that CA should stay home. EVERY day is a bad day for the IW. While we as IW's are dealing with only one CA, and the CA may be dealing with many IW's, that's the profession they chose and should be up to the job every day.

I do not believe there is such a thing as 'pissing off' the adjuster and having them retaliate against you. Many times an IW feels that there are benefits they are entitled to, which they are not. Every IW feels that their rating should be higher than what it is, mostly because they relate the PD rating with 'money'...and every IW feels they have been/are being 'screwed'. (well most...)

Survellience is an accepted tool use by IC's. And if you are not doing what you say you cannot do due to your injury you will have no problems. I'm sure there are unscruplous PI's, but the're few and far between.
Most IW's never even know they are being observed. Most IW's proceed through the system with little or no problems. It's just that the ones you see posted on these boards are the ones that have the bulk of the problems.

Workers Compensation was never intended to be a 'cradle to grave' system. It isn't like going to the 'regular' doctor, this is not your family doctor. It's there to treat an injury/illness and return you to work as soon as possible. Either your former job or another you can do within your restrictions if you have any. It cannot make you 'whole' or return you to 'like new' condition or even the way you were before the injury. WC doesn't not provide every treatment option available like 'regular' medecine does.

So Mr Tom Joad, I agree with you on this one...

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donkottler
Junior Member

Posts: 10
Joined: Jan 2005

Tuesday November 15, 2005 3:28 AM

I am in the same boat as you. I have had the IC delay and deny for most of the 7 years I have been disabled. I have had 4 back surgeries, one rib taken out, the pain is so bad I take 8mg of Dilauded 4 x a day, plus vicodin. I have Fibromyalgia, then the stress caused diabetes( I was muscular-no fat-185lbs), no history or family of diabetes. Then high blood pressure developed 2 1/2 years agter accident. Then I had heart attack-due to stress. Paramedics revived me-went to hosp. stent put in. then had a stroke in hosp-paraLYZED for two days, then blood clot disolved in brain. Next week went back to hospital, another stroke and heart attack-hospital revived me. I used to scuba dive, hike 10 to 15 miled a day with sierra club, now taking 15 to 20 meds a day. IC followed me everywhere. they even came up to me when I was at a park, said there was pool tournmebt, and come to see. I said to much pain to play. At tournment I took two more vicodin and morphine. still in pain, could not sit, stand, kneel, without pain. they said needed partner. I sai I just took two more pain meds on top of 4 already taken. they said let me see, so I stuck out my tongue to show them.My name is don, and they said they were don and bob from Burbank--su[rise-that is where I live. They followed me in park, went to computer show, two old guys videotaped me. I use a cane most of time. I have documented all lumbar pinched nerves-31% compression of spinal cord-27% compression of cervical spinal cord plus pinched nerves plus non union of 2 level fusion, pinched nerves, veins, arteries, in both shoulders, severe muscle losss from head to toe, took pics and show to doctors numerous mri's, nerve conduction-all show extensive damage. THEY STILL FOLLOW ME. i USED TO KEEP MY DRAPES OPEN, BUT THEN every time I went into the kitchen and turned the lite on, the neighbors lite woud go off in one of the rooms with a window facing me.. This kept happening for 6 months, I finally kept the drapes closed for two months and then new tenants came in. I saw tapes of me walking 30 feet without cane( I had taken 1 morphine and two vicodin prev. so they tape that. I feel this is a war on their part, anything they do to get you. it is them against you.There are 15 to 20 penalties-and counting against them so far-I gave my attorney 13-and they keep on coming. Judge told them to pay $2700 I put out-it took 4 times of giving them printout done in exel, all documentation, they come up with lame excuses-no action till 7 months later I finally go to post office, return recpt.--then 1 week later I call insurance adjuster-say did you receive, she said yes-I say can you read them-she said yes-I said ok-and hung up. Then the money came--but no interest. It is a fight and battle, but I will never give up-they took away my life-if they would have approved I would be fixed and getting on with my life-all I ever wanted was to get fixed. All they wanted was to play games, with$$$-the lowest amount paid, and no concern of the injured worker, Now it is going to cost them a bundle, and my life as I knew it is over--because of them.I am willing to go on tv, or the news, whatever, all us IW want is to get fixed. I am the only one that has told the truth in 7 years of this. Now after going to msc, sitting in a chair for 3 hours all cramped up-in pain, IC attorney said they will ok medical. That is verbal, and since they have done this before-say ok-then nothing-I do not hope for them to change. I only hope that in Jan 2006 our legislature will get their act together and bring big penalties against them, and fix the ur denials and delays.

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SophaKingWhat
Member

Posts: 35
Joined: May 2004

Wednesday November 16, 2005 6:20 PM

Don ~ It seems alarming that your cocktail of pain meds is what it is. The meds you said you have been taking would seem to me, as an average lay person, to be a dangerous amount of addictive meds intended as a short-term pain reliever. How long have you been taking the dilaudid, vicodin & morphine? Have these all been perscribed by the same doctor? Do you fill these perscripts at the same pharmacy? I only ask as a concerned person.

As far as the investigators, don't worry about them! Let them do their job and go about your business. Wave at them if it makes you feel better, but if you're not faking, you have nothing to worry about! Injured people have good days, too! Investigators are just another group of people trying to make a living, following instructions from above, whether it's a client or a case manager. In California, Investigator's are suppose to use an equal mix of common sense & discretion when filming other people. Basically, if an individual has an expectation of privacy, then an Investigator probably should not be filming. Investigator's are not suppose to climb trees to film someone, hide out on private property without the owner's consent, hide out in the bushes, etc. If, as an Investigator, I am in my car on a public road, and a claimant is in public view outside their home, I'm filming. If they are inside but I can see inside a window, I do not film as I feel it is too close to the fuzzy area of the laws regarding privacy, therefore, I ain't risking it!

If anything I say is taken to heart, let it be this: If you are not faking or malingering, don't worry and go about doing whatever you need to do to keep going. All the video in the world can't harm the guy who is making every effort to get well! Too many people get all worked up over this which is where valid questions come to mind about whether they're malingering or faking.

Anyways, what's up with all the meds though? That's where I'd be concerned.

Best of luck to you.

Melanie

-------------------------
Pessimism . . . An overwhelmingly powerful side affect.

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straightshooter1965
Junior Member

Posts: 10
Joined: Nov 2005

Monday November 21, 2005 11:43 PM

I think the post about cost is true. It's just too much work. However, it never hurts to be aware of your surroundings just in general. I've heard of some crafty, creepy investigators. There's a thin line in my book, if you stare at me for too long, I may perceive you as a threat. Just too please the surveillance gods, every once in awhile I will whip out my camera and take some random pictures of the street. There is a rhythm to any neighborhood. I was bored and spent a little time checking out the pics. Nothing out of the ordinary, especially now that I know what the "ordinary" is! I was really doing it be a smart ass, but it held intelligence, just not what I expected.

JD

-------------------------
Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.
-Henry David Thoreau-

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.
-Henry David Thoreau-

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injuredworker101@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 1527
Joined: Apr 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 5:20 AM

Hell...I've remained silent on this issue for some time.

Let's be truthful here. The films are subject to INTERPERTATION!

So making a statement that as long as you are within your doctor's restricitions you have nothing to worry about follows the same analogy that the defense QME is honest and upstanding.

Let's be truthful here. The defense QME writes a report about those films and makes a big issue of you picking your nose. So if you think this filming business is fair and only shows what you were doing...let's not keep being naieve and fooling the readers here.

These films are bought and sold to the insurance co. They pay for evidence against you. Their doctor will try and make anything become something and distort the entire picture. That says nothing for the investagator hiding behind the bamboo fence with the five dollar bill in the street where I walked.

I guess I am the last of the truthful here. This making excuses for the survailance disquests me. If the insurance co had spent the money fixing me, we would have all been done. Such a waste of good money which could have been spent on other better things.

As to the investagators, I see most if not all of them "paid juduses." They are no different then the scabs that break the union lines. Think of it, a fellow worker paid to take you down! We are not all fakeing fools.

And this is ok? Nowhere but in America!

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gaiassoul1@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 2155
Joined: Feb 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 9:52 AM

oh it happens worse in a lot of other places then America, ummm been to a communist country EVER, ever seen a Muslim regime? Give me a break that is so much pablum and bologna sandwiches I am gaging. GET A GRIP.

IF you cheat the system you will get caught. Any attorney worth his/her weight who thinks the film has been misinterpreted is going to have it shown at the MSC for a judge to watch. A picture is worth a thousand words remember. If you have nothing to hide the film will NEVER impeach you.

Some memorable valid film....just a brief history of my claims examiner life and times ......

A claimant who alleges a back injury who could not bend at all for work, but I caught bull riding ... no bending going on there, no apportionment to that hobby for messing up his back in the first place??? Take NOTHING, cha ching

A claimant who digs to the bottom of their trunk to find the neck brace, cane, walker and we have the film that the last time it was used was when they went to their last eval....TAKE NOTHING, cha ching.

Injured worker alleges need for neck surgery, back surgery, right shoulder surgery - no objective
MRI, CT or any other kind of finding, 10 days of consecutive film -- everyday, carries infant in the car seat four blocks to a city park. Got the brand name of the car seat estimated weight of a seven month old, guess what, carrying 45 pounds is impossible with the alleged conditions, TAKE NOTHING cha ching.

An injured worker is shown for five days straight working a janitorial position, (which is the one she was on TTD for), while collecting TTD, can you spell FRAUD, that one resulted in a jail term, cha ching again.

So YES let's be truthful, because if more injured workers were actually truthful, less surveillance would be assigned. There is no such thing as TRUTH, what a load of male cow feces. Everything is subjected to the bias of the person.

There are cheaters and liars in every system and every walk of life, to advocate one path is beyond ridiculous.

-------------------------
Ginger

To know how to say what others only know how to think is what makes men poets or sages; and to dare to say what others only dare to think makes men martyrs or
reformers - or both. Elizabeth Charles

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SophaKingWhat
Member

Posts: 35
Joined: May 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 10:12 AM

InjuredWorker ... It is sad to think people are as cynical as you appear to be, which leads one to think that it is possible that some

<< scab >>

might have actually nailed your b*tt juggling monkeys or pulling a motor from a classic car while claiming to have some major upper extremity disorder (just a hypothetical injury)!

I am one of those

<< scabs >>

that you clearly do not like. I am also an IW who also feels she has been dragged through the mud a bit with regard to med TX, CA attention to detail & slow progress of claim, etc., but guess what? CA's deal with tons of IW's daily and maybe YOU should step outside of yourself momentarily and take consideration in that there are scandalous, money-sucking, don't-wanna-work, malingering idiot's out there that drain society out of their hard earned dollars because they are not willing to work when they are fully capable of doing so. Those are the folks that are at the root of a large perportion of the less than friendly CA's. So I think you ought to get truthful with yourself now, for reals, ok?

So what if surveillance is being conducted lawfully and within all facets of the law It hasn't bugged me and if you are not malingering, then it shouldn't bug you either unless there are issues concerning harrassment/privacy/trespassing/wiretapping taking place. Any Investigator with an ounce of sense know better than to compromise the integrity of something they just might be called to testify on under penalty of perjury. So, looks like you're not the only last speaker of truth out there. Frankly, you strike me as a whiner and a pessimystic self-proclaiming victom. Get over it and do what you need to do to take control of the things in your lilfe that are giving you grief.

You can't honestly believe that you are the only teller of truth left in existance, do you really believe that? If so, perhaps NARCISSISM should be somehow added to your claim, ya?

Lastly, you said,

<< This making excuses for the survailance disquests me. If the insurance co had spent the money fixing me, we would have all been done. Such a waste of good money which could have been spent on other better things. >>

One, sorry surveillance investigators disgust you. Lazy sloths that cheat and steal disgust and cost the rest of us a lot of hard earned dough. and that really makes a lot of people mad. Again, Narcissism should be controlled here.

Wow, I'm impressed how alert/paranoid you are to be so in tune with where all the investigator's are hiding out! Move on! And I can only suggest to you that if you are not happy with America, then find a cave elsewhere where you'll be treated better. You're probably not even a registered voter, are you? Funny how it's those folks who whine the most. Whining gets nothing done; maybe that's why your case still lingers on and on and on. Investigative video has created many validated claims upon CA review as well, so get over it already.

Signing off as

<< Just Another Scabby Investigator >>

here to make you look around all the time. Geeez!

-------------------------
Pessimism . . . An overwhelmingly powerful side affect.

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gaiassoul1@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 2155
Joined: Feb 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 10:18 AM

Sophia,

Just let me say, I love you, your approach, your reality and your emotional maturity.

Someday we may meet, and I speculate we would become fast friends.

Bless you, your heart shines through and I have all of the confidence in the world you were a great investigator in every definition of the world.

TOUCHE and a toast to people like Sophia!

-------------------------
Ginger

To know how to say what others only know how to think is what makes men poets or sages; and to dare to say what others only dare to think makes men martyrs or
reformers - or both. Elizabeth Charles

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loislane2
Senior Member

Posts: 599
Joined: Jul 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 10:55 AM

AMEN, MELANIE (Sopha), AMEN, GINGER, thanks for the levity today!

I, too, have been on both sides of the camera. As an ex PI, and an IW, it gives one an interesting perspective to say the least.

I was thinking that IW 101 was unfamiliar with China, and perhaps Tianahmen Square and the atrocities perpetuated upon their own people. I, personally would choose a PI tailing me over death. Whadda ya think, IW 101?

My only real concern with my IW's who are filmed would be ascertaining the amount of pain meds that they were taking on any given day of surveillance. I know from my own experience that i can put a stereo and 4 speakers in my car when i consume a prescribed dose of 60 mgs of norco. And, perhaps i am still eating pain meds for the next few days the Inv is filming. Sure, i may be doing a few things outside of my restrictions, but you better hope i stay behind the dash of my car, and don't get behind the wheel with that much narcotic! So, to some extent the films are subjective. They have to be viewed in context to the injury, and the amount of medication consumed.

Thanks for helping to keep a balance in this system , Ginger and Melanie.

Lois

-------------------------
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. -Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

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STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
Senior Member

Posts: 990
Joined: Jun 2002

Tuesday November 22, 2005 11:33 AM

Lois,
Do you think it would be OK to add one more to the "tropical hotel" weekend?
I think Melanie would be a grrreat addition...!
I love to see this kind of thought process actually put out there...
So from here, TOUCHE! as well.

BTW, I noticed there is a 'retro' tropical hotel right around the corner from me..(we don't have 'motels' in Palm Springs...)

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SophaKingWhat
Member

Posts: 35
Joined: May 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 11:55 AM

Ginger ~ I have always admired your honest and generous input to the folks at WCC; we probably would strike up quite a friendship in the event our paths crossed!

People that think

<< Life is suppose to be fair >>

and even better are the ones that get hurt feelings because they're such a good person and think that automatically they're entitled to have good things happen! Wrong-o! Life is what each of us decides to make of it. I choose not to mope around, pointing at all the evil, bad other guys that are making me cop out of work I can do! Which is why I am still doing the investigative work, just not 100 hours a week like before!

If injuredWorker would make the effort to ACCOMODATE THE INJURIES through ergonomics and a pinch of common sense ... THEN, and only then, we'd all be better off. If only the IC just saved the surveillance expense and mailed that $$$ to all IW's instead, right? Heaven forbid some

<< scab >>

who clearly worked their rear off in less than comfortable, sometimes unsanitary quarters! Your companies must have been pleased with the resolution on each case you described, rightfully so! I don't think people really have a clue as to just how costly those claims might have been had it not been for the dilligent and thankless efforts of some

<< scab >>

like me!

I have a few surveillance tales that could have easily been the poster child example for

<< America's Dumbest Criminals >>

! It's amazing what lengths some people will go to to milk a claim! Yikes!

Thanks for the compliment, Ginger! WCC has been and continues to be a valued resource. It's the folks like you, and the numerous other regular responders, all from different corners of comp, that contribute to the groups here with what I feel is mostly valid, good info.

I hope everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving! I know I can't wait for my ritualistic drive to Ventura via good 'ol I-101 listening to Arlo Guthrie's

<< Alice's Restaraunt >>

with Mark and Brian on KLOS ... !

-------------------------
Pessimism . . . An overwhelmingly powerful side affect.

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SophaKingWhat
Member

Posts: 35
Joined: May 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 1:02 PM

Steve & Lois ~ I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy now! Seriously, thanks a bunch for the kind words; it makes for good feelings.

Lois, I do agree that it makes all the difference in the world when someones medicated vs. not medicated. It can be deceiving to the narrow-minded, nit-picker's who are too far on either side of the claim. The video is just video; it's a tool to bring factual happenings to the table so issues can be determined more reliably. I feel that is best done by repeated, non-invasive surveillance efforts that will ideally depict an individual's physical activities over a period of time, not just two or three days. People, even IW's, have good and bad day's.

I'm still wondering if IW101 votes in all elections, even the Local elections. I'm pretty content right here in this great country, even with the things that I don't agree with; it beats most alternatives I can think of! I doubt I could count on being able to buy a six pack of bottled, glass bottles, Henry Weinhard's root beer or Orange Crush in Afghanistan or Bolivia or wherever else one might opt to go!

I'm thankful for soda in glass bottles and WCC! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Melanie

-------------------------
Pessimism . . . An overwhelmingly powerful side affect.

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injuredworker101@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 1527
Joined: Apr 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 4:39 PM

Ha...I thought that one would bring up some conversation.

I have a right to my opinion; and I do vote.

So let's keep the bashing up. It works wonders.

I don't ride bulls. But I wish I could. Those pro bull riders make fairly good money.

I am stuck in the bull however. And unless you are in the bull as I am; you shouldn't be throwing the horns!

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injuredworker101@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 1527
Joined: Apr 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 4:42 PM

"IF you cheat the system you will get caught. Any attorney worth his/her weight who thinks the film has been misinterpreted is going to have it shown at the MSC for a judge to watch. A picture is worth a thousand words remember. If you have nothing to hide the film will NEVER impeach you."

Thanks Ginger now this is the truth!

Edited: Tuesday November 22, 2005 at 4:43 PM by injuredworker101@yahoo.com

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scrapindee
Member

Posts: 167
Joined: Jan 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 8:41 PM

A few more questions to understand the process: What does the PI send to the CA/IC to accompany the films? Lois mentioned medications, does a PI get the medication records from the pharmacies or md's? As stated by the Forum experts, the QME/AME's review of the films would be subjective in interpretation of how much meds the IW was on at the time of the filming, correct?

Getting beyond IWs=fraud comments, what % of IWs actually have their claims/cases substantiated by the use of surveillance? Does this happen?

Can we discuss any positives here for the IW; besides "getting off your butts, find a job, stop whining, etc." especially when there isn't a pro-IW environment out there.

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injuredworker101@yahoo.com
Senior Member

Posts: 1527
Joined: Apr 2004

Tuesday November 22, 2005 8:59 PM

And...by the way the comment of only in America is such that we have no rights of privacy. I have asked numerous times to have a female follower not a male and I am laughed at. So for a female on their own living on their own in a lessor community...is it a stalker...is it a gangster (which this area is loaded) Is it a potential rapest?

This is not an infringement of my right to peace and freedom? This goes against our constitution. Sorry I am not in your camp ever! This is total infringment on a female's rights. I have worked in too much rape crisis work to see it any other way.

Males should be assigned to males, and females to females. This is not too much to ask. Even in our penal system it is this way. How about a PTSD claim when I do get jumped thinking "ah... its just them." This is not funny.

As to all the potential fakers out there. Statistics say that few IW's are fakers so I have to believe it. And no Sophia/Melaine they have never, and will never, get anything on me. It is just a real insult to my injury to keep up this game of waiting for three years now in pain without treatment while we play games including: let's play voc rehab and here's the counselor we picked for you two times. And...oh that money we owed you...to quote the defense attorney at last conference, "We got caught with out hand in the cookie jar." This is 14 months later. So you think you have waited for treatment. You need that party at the Tropicana to talk to Art, who is in on the party, he'll tell you about delay. I could too but you wouldn't believe me.

That's alright because for right now I still believe in the court. And...yes I intend to bring up that guy hiding behind the bamboo fence. I bet he was mad when the neighbor picked up his 5 dollar bill. My problem in life has always been my honesty and so far it has gotten me nowhere.

Posts: 116
Joined: Apr 2005

Tuesday December 06, 2005 2:04 AM

IWs need a budget for their own private investigators. Only fair, lets level the playing field. White collar crime of adjusters, corrupt and abusive investigators, employers that lie, unfunded SIPs, corrupt UR and MPN physician whores. Yes, investigation is necessary. The IWs need their own. Let's let the sleazy side - the insurer side-get a taste of what it is like to be followed, taped and photographed. Let's run background checks on the adjusters that routinely deny legitimate claims.

IWs should be allowed reimbursement & liens for investigation costs.

GASSYASSOLE (- Really, heavy laxatives and enemas might improve your disposition and clear your fogged up brain.) You are just soooo full of it!

-------------------------
Carol Hector

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reynacho
Senior Member

Posts: 277
Joined: Mar 2004

Wednesday December 07, 2005 9:23 AM

Kay: I've got a budget for you. It's called your TTD rate. If you want to spend the money on an investigator rather than food, be my guest. Good luck with that. What do you think you're going to find? Subpoena my file, you won't find anything. Obtain surveillance. You're going to see me show up promptly to work and leave at the end of the day. Oh yeah, you'll see me smoke a couple cigarettes here and there too.

Edited: Wednesday December 07, 2005 at 10:04 AM by reynacho

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SophaKingWhat
Member

Posts: 35
Joined: May 2004

Sunday December 11, 2005 6:42 AM

Kay ... Ummmmm, I'm not sure you have all your eggs in the same basket because what purpose would be served for the IW to hire a PI? If I'm understanding you correctly, you think that it is legal to intentionally harass a claims' examiner? I hate to tell you but it's not legal to harass anyone. An investigator is best serving his or her client if they remain undetected, gather the evidence lawfully and remain unbias throughout the assignment.

I have to ask this: Do you really think that the insurance carriers are allowed reimbursement & liens for investigation costs? And whom do you assume might be paying for these things, expensive things, hmmmm? Not the IW! Heck, it would be great if all the IW who got caught pulling shenanigans actually had to pay the costs of investigating their sorry rears!
The thing about work comp here in California is that it is imperfect system based upon good intentions. Sometimes it does the stuff it's suppose to do, while other times it fails miserably. There is something each one of us can do when we are injured on the job and that is to report it, seek assistance from the I&A Officers when we are unsure of something and follow medical advice. Another good rule of thumb is to really use common sense, too. Stop pointing fingers, stop with the attitudes, communicate with those in the system in an effective, respectable manner and don't take anything personally. Adjusters deal with all types of situations on a daily basis that would create a cynic in most of us! And IW's deal with a variety of individuals who vary in demeanor and temperment based on the way they are treated from IW's, Team Manager's, Supervisor's, co-worker's, etc. So, relax! Ask yourself what you have done to foster an effective line of communication between your adjuster and yourself.

This whole bit about levelling the playing field is a bunch of BS because there is no playing field to level. WC is not a game. Insurers are not in business to shell out checks to every Tom, Dick or Harriet who says they got hurt at work! Insurers are not non-profit entities either! So who can blame them for scrutinizing each claim? I don't! Think beyond yourself and take a look at the big picture. It does go much deeper than your claim! Really!

And to InjuredWorker90210 ... I would laugh my tail off at any silly moron who asked for a female investigator because they're scared and live in a ghetto! Two suggestions: 1.) Move, and 2.) Stop acting guilty, stop behaving erraticly and if all else fails then commit yourself for being so rediculously paranoid. You know, who cares if an insurer conducts surveillance on you to make sure you're not out pulling motors, juggling barbells or dancing salsa style with injuries that you claim are preventing you from sitting at a desk from 9 - 5. Stop it! Take a class, learn a new trade, study a new hobby, learn the art of effective communication because that's where it all really comes from. The world doesn't really owe any of us anything! Neither does the "no fault" system called work comp.

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Pessimism . . . An overwhelmingly powerful side affect.

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