The Importance of Recorded Statements in Insurance Claim Investigations

In the intricate world of insurance investigations, obtaining recorded statements from claimants and witnesses is a critical component of our investigative process. At our firm, we specialize in conducting thorough recorded statement interviews to gather essential information that supports or refutes insurance claims. These recorded statements are invaluable in providing a clear and accurate account of events, ensuring that claims are processed fairly and efficiently.?

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Significance of Recorded Statements?

Recorded statements play a pivotal role in insurance investigations for several reasons:?

• Accuracy and Clarity: Recorded statements capture the exact words of subjects and witnesses, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or miscommunication. This ensures that the information is accurate and reliable.?

• Evidence Preservation: Having a recorded statement preserves the evidence in its original form. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the investigation and can be used in legal proceedings if necessary.?

• Consistency Verification: Comparing recorded statements with other evidence helps verify the consistency of the subject’s account. Any discrepancies can be identified and investigated further.?

• Fraud Detection: Recorded statements can reveal inconsistencies or red flags that may indicate fraudulent activity. This helps in identifying and preventing false claims.?

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Investigative Services that Compliment Recorded Statements?

Recorded statement interviews are often supported by a range of services designed to gather comprehensive information to provide a clearer picture supporting the claims related decision-making process:?

• Subrogation Investigations: Identifying potential third-party liability to recover costs.?

• Clinic Inspections: Assessing the legitimacy and practices of medical clinics involved in claims.?

• Scene Investigations: Examining the location of incidents to gather physical evidence and contextual information.?

• Background Investigations and Social Media: Identifying information from various sources that can verify or refute the claimant’s allegations.?

• Surveillance: Video evidence provides visual evidence that can be compared to details gathered during the recorded statements and other supporting investigation services.?

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Case Study: Workers’ Compensation Insurance Claim Investigation?

Consider a recent case where our Investigative Interviews were instrumental in resolving a complex workers’ compensation insurance claim. An insurance company received a claim for a workplace injury, with the injured worker reporting severe back pain that prevented him from working.?

The initial investigation included recorded statements from the injured worker, coworkers, and supervisors. The injured worker’s statement detailed the incident and the resulting injury. However, during the interviews with coworkers, inconsistencies emerged. Some witnesses reported seeing the injured worker engaging in activities that contradicted his reported limitations.?

Additionally, our scene investigation revealed that the conditions described by the subject did not match the physical evidence at the location. The recorded statements provided a clear and comprehensive account of the events, highlighting the discrepancies in the subject’s story.?

The findings from the interviews and scene investigation led to additional investigation work that included a background investigation, a Social Media investigation and surveillance.? The supplemental work found that the injured worker was engaged in physical activities that clearly contradicted allegations reported during his recorded statement interview.? Furthermore, the background investigation determined that the injured worker had recently started a new business, and the surveillance confirmed that he was actively engaged in operating the business and generating income from the related business.?

The detailed recorded statements and supporting investigation evidence led to a thorough review of the claim, ultimately resulting in the denial of the claim and saving the insurance company a significant amount of money. ?Based on the findings, the claim and related investigation details were reported to authorities based on suspected fraud indicators.?

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Conclusion?

Recorded statements are a cornerstone of effective insurance investigations. By leveraging comprehensive Investigative Interview services, insurance claims professionals and risk managers can obtain accurate and reliable information to support or refute claims. Our commitment to excellence ensures that we provide thorough and detailed evidence, enhancing the integrity of the insurance industry.?