Recorded Statements in Injury Claims: Do You Have to Comply?
If you’ve filed a Workers’ Compensation or personal injury claim, there’s a good chance an insurance adjuster will ask for a recorded statement. It might sound routine, even harmless. But giving a recorded statement without legal advice can put your case at serious risk.
At Shankle Law Firm, we urge you to never give a recorded statement before speaking to an attorney. These interviews are often used as tools to reduce or deny valid claims.
What Is a Recorded Statement?
A recorded statement is a formal, on-the-record interview conducted by an insurance adjuster. They’ll typically ask about:
- How the injury or accident occurred
- Your symptoms and timeline of treatment
- Past injuries or medical conditions
- Details about your job duties, daily activities, or pain levels
These conversations are recorded, transcribed, and used as official evidence by the insurance company. What you say, even casually, may be used to challenge or weaken your claim.
Why Insurance Companies Want a Statement
The adjuster’s job is to protect their company’s bottom line. A recorded statement allows them to:
- Look for inconsistencies in your story
- Catch minor details they can later exploit
- Identify pre-existing conditions they can blame
- Lock you into an account before your full treatment picture is clear
- Intentionally ask you misleading and confusing questions to harm your claim
They may sound friendly and informal. But their goal is not to help you, it's to help the insurer avoid paying more than necessary.
How a Recorded Statement Can Hurt Your Case
Even honest, injured workers can be tripped up by these interviews. Adjusters ask questions designed to elicit vague, contradictory, or misleading answers. For example:
- Misstated dates or symptoms may be labeled as dishonesty
- Saying “I feel okay” could be used to dispute your pain
- Admitting a prior injury may be used to deflect blame
These interviews often happen early in the process, before you fully understand your condition or your rights, and before you’ve had legal guidance.
Do I Have to Give a Recorded Statement?
Not always. Whether you’re legally required to provide one depends on your case type and the insurer’s request.
- In personal injury claims, you’re generally not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurer.
- In Workers’ Compensation claims, it’s more nuanced, but you still have the right to consult an attorney first.
In many cases, a lawyer can:
- Decline the request altogether
- Set conditions for how the statement is given
- Be present to protect you during the interview
The key is to speak to an attorney first, before saying anything on record.
How Shankle Law Firm Can Help
If an adjuster has asked you to give a recorded statement, talk to us first. Maggie Shankle, a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist, will help you:
- Decide whether you need to give a statement at all
- Prepare so your answers are honest but not harmful
- Avoid common mistakes that can hurt your claim
- Push back against unfair or premature requests
Protect Your Rights. Don’t Go on Record Alone.
Recorded statements are often treated as routine, but the consequences of a misstep can be serious and permanent. You deserve to have an experienced advocate on your side before giving any official statement.
Contact Shankle Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation before speaking to an insurance adjuster. We’ll help you protect your rights and your case.
*Please Note - The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this site, using information from it, or communicating with Shankle Law Firm, PA through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice tailored to your situation, please contact us directly at (704) 370-1212.