If you were injured on the job and are concerned that a statement you made is affecting your claim, call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann.
In the hours or days after a workplace injury, most people are not thinking about legal strategy. They’re thinking about getting through the shift, not upsetting their supervisor, or hoping the pain will just go away.
Later, when a workers’ compensation claim is questioned or denied, many injured workers in St. Louis find themselves asking: “Did I ruin my case because I said the wrong thing?”
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If you’re worried about something you said when reporting your injury — to your boss, HR, or the insurance adjuster — you’re not alone. And in many cases, one poorly worded statement does not automatically destroy a valid Missouri workers’ compensation claim.
That said, insurance companies may try to use inconsistencies to delay or deny benefits. Understanding how this works — and what you can do — is critical.
Why Early Statements Matter in a Missouri Workers’ Comp Claim
When you report a work injury in Missouri, the employer and its insurance company immediately begin documenting:
- When the injury was reported
- How you described the incident
- Whether you mentioned prior injuries
- Whether you initially denied being hurt
- Whether your explanation changes over time
Insurance adjusters are trained to look for inconsistencies. Even small differences in wording may later be framed as:
- “The injury didn’t happen at work.”
- “The worker changed their story.”
- “This is a pre-existing condition.”
- “The employee wasn’t injured that day.”
However, Missouri workers’ compensation law focuses on whether the injury arose out of and in the course of employment — not whether you described it perfectly while in pain or under stress.
What Should You Do If You’re Worried You Said the Wrong Thing?
If you believe something you said is being used against you:
- Do not guess or change your story again.
Stick to the truth and be consistent moving forward. - Make sure your doctor understands how the injury happened.
Clear medical documentation is often the most important evidence. - Document everything.
Keep records of emails, incident reports, work restrictions, and communications. - Be cautious with additional recorded statements.
You are not required to casually explain yourself repeatedly without understanding the consequences. - Speak with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney if benefits are denied or delayed.
Early guidance can prevent small issues from becoming major disputes.
When Insurance Companies Use “Inconsistency” to Deny Claims
In St. Louis and throughout Missouri, we often see denied claims where the main issue isn’t whether the worker was hurt — it’s whether the insurance company claims the worker was “inconsistent.”
Common denial arguments include:
- “You didn’t mention that in your first report.”
- “You said something different before.”
- “Your symptoms changed.”
- “You have a prior injury.”
In many cases, these arguments can be addressed with proper medical evidence and clear documentation.
You’re Not Alone — And One Statement Rarely Decides Everything
Workplace injuries are stressful. Most injured workers are not legal experts when they report an accident. They are tired, in pain, worried about their job, and trying to do the right thing.
Missouri workers’ compensation law does not require perfection — it requires credible evidence that the injury is work-related.
If your claim has been questioned, delayed, or denied because of something you said early on, it may still be possible to move forward.
Talk Directly With a St. Louis Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you were injured on the job in Missouri and are concerned that a statement you made is affecting your claim, you can speak directly with Attorney James M. Hoffmann.
For over 30 years, he has represented injured Missouri workers and has collected more than $100 million in benefits for clients. You won’t be passed off to a junior associate or call center — your case is handled directly by an experienced St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney.