Insurance adjuster questions auto claim releasing medical employment records?

We were hit by a drunk driver insured by State Farm. We had medical treatment for about 3 weeks totalling about $5000 each. Now we are trying to settle with the adjuster who is less then ethical in my opinion. He did all sorts of "say one thing do another" type of things so far.

He phoned me last week to tell me he was going to send a form requesting our medical records for the hospital visit only as he has all the records for the followup care. Keep in mind,jst the hospital.

What a I received in the mail was a form to allow this adjuster all of our entire medical history AND our entire employment history! Since we are self employeed, there was no loss of employeed work time, but my business dealiongs were placed on hold. I was in the process of remodeling my home for sale and this had to be put off for a month due to injuries.

I am not comfortable with this slimy adjuster having access to all this information he does not need. Why are they asking for it?

This is standard procedure -- release of medical records will speed up your settlement. ALL companies do this and the sooner you decide to work WITH the insurance adjuster the sooner you will get this behind you -- unless, of course, you have a prior medical condition that you are trying to cover up.....

Hes not necessarily slimy. Im an adjuster (who.. by the way... wants to pay my fair amount for injuries- i would feel terrible screwing someone over and i have never been encourage too) and i send out that same form.

Basically its just the standard form- that way if you treat somewhere else in the course of treatment he can see that too. Unless your being unreasonable and claiming ridiculous stuff.. hes not going to be looking into your medical history or anything. Its just to cover all bases. Also- did you knwo you can revoke that form at any time? Or even ask that it only be used for places youve treated!

Alot of peopel dont realize how difficult it is for your adjuster to get your bills so they can pay them. They have to have your permission or no one will let them get them.

I understand some adjusters are slimy.. but... some are just trying to help. That form is very common and will likely just be used to help get your bills paid.

tell him. be straight up with him. if he hassles you tell him he can either deal with you or your lawyer. if he trys to call your bluff on the lawyer tell him you will sue for everything you can get plus attorney fees. these adjusters always work against you. but remember yourself to go after only your actual damages including pain and suffering. i had to deal with one once and was only asking for what i was out (deserved) they thought i was a pushover and denied my claim. after i threatened with the lawyer and told them i would go for blood they determined it would be better just to pay my fair claim. good luck

Unless you have something to hide, sign it and send it back. It is a standard form. He will only get the information he needs, and he will keep it confidential and not share it with anyone, but without a release he may be stifled in trying to get what he needs to settle fairly with you.

There is no reason to assume he is "slimy" because he is trying to do his job. They are asking for it, as I said, to settle your claim. You can probably make his job harder and threaten him with law suits if you want, but it will only slow things down.

They tell you one thing and do the other in the hopes that they can get some juicy medical information or previous injuries that the can blame for the current problems you are experiencing. Dont sign the release he sent. Go to the hospital, ask for the Health Information Management department. Then sign a release and mark it specificlly for the medical care you received on specific date to be sent to the adjuster. They get the records they claimed the wanted and all of your other health information remains protected.