Do Insurance Companies in Ottawa Assume I am Faking My Injuries?

A few months ago Brenda received a great question on CTV Morning’s Ask the Expert.

Question: “I was in a motor vehicle accident almost six months ago, and am still struggling with mild injuries remaining, as well as mental health issues. How do I claim these repercussions properly? Will this be questioned?”

Answer: This is not a situation to be afraid of. At the six month point, you’re not out of time to make a claim and it is actually quite smart in some circumstances to wait a little bit to find out the full extent of your injuries.

To answer the other part of your question, it is the insurance company’s job to probe at your claim to make sure that stories match up. Going through this probing process does not mean that the insurance companies think you are faking your injuries, but rather that they need to investigate how much the case is worth. When you hire a personal injury law firm such as Auger Hollingsworth we will also do our own investigation on your behalf.

During the insurance agency’s investigation they will send you to be reviewed by their doctors. Almost all of these doctors are honest, and especially in the Ottawa region. Actually, the reports they make often help your case, as most of the doctors are very fair and reasonable.

As for mental health, it’s important to know that about 80% of our personal injury clients have mental health issues. After suffering a life-altering injury, this makes a lot of sense. You’ve been through something that is often very hard to deal with. Do not be nervous about mental health issues, this is definitely not a reason to not come forward. There is compensation for mental health problems so go to a doctor as early as possible.

For more information watch Brenda Hollingsworth answer this question on mental health on CTV Morning Live. 

If you have questions about injuries you’ve received after an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer such as Auger Hollingsworth at 613-233-4529 to book a free, no obligation consultation.

About the Author: Brenda Hollingsworth

Brenda Hollingsworth co-founded Ottawa’s Auger Hollingsworth in 2005 with her husband Richard Auger. Together, their mission was to create a personal injury law firm for Eastern Ontario that is unrivalled in the province for customer service and legal expertise. Brenda was named an Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient and took home the Women’s Business Network’s Businesswoman of the Year award in the Professional category. She was also recognized as one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s “Top 50 People in the Capital.” She is often quoted as an expert and has appeared in media outlets such as CTV, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Sun Media, CBC, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, CFRA and many legal publications.

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