{"id":1101,"date":"2022-07-19T16:36:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T16:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/donahoekearney.com\/?post_type=faqs&p=1101"},"modified":"2025-05-13T20:08:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:08:26","slug":"should-i-sign-the-medical-information-release-form-the-workers-compensation-adjuster-sent","status":"publish","type":"faqs","link":"https:\/\/donahoekearney.com\/faqs\/should-i-sign-the-medical-information-release-form-the-workers-compensation-adjuster-sent\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Sign a Medical Records Release After a Work Injury in DC?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Should You Sign a Medical Records Release After a Work Injury in DC?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Short answer: No.<\/strong>
If an insurance adjuster asks you to sign a medical records release after a work injury, don\u2019t do it\u2014not before talking to a DC workers\u2019 compensation lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why? Because the form they give you isn\u2019t limited to the injury you\u2019re dealing with now. It gives them full access to your entire medical history\u2014sometimes even your family history\u2014and they will use it to find anything they think they can blame instead of your job.<\/p>\n

How Preexisting Conditions Are Used Against You<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Even though preexisting conditions<\/a> don\u2019t disqualify you from workers\u2019 comp in DC, insurance companies will try to use them against you.<\/p>\n

If your job made an old condition worse\u2014even one you didn\u2019t know about\u2014you may still qualify for workers\u2019 compensation benefits. But the insurance company won\u2019t make it easy. They\u2019ll look for anything in your past to shift the blame.<\/p>\n

Here Are Some Examples of How Preexisting Conditions Are Used Against You<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Watch the video explanation here<\/strong><\/span><\/a> to see how adjusters use your history to delay or deny claims.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • You fractured your ankle lifting equipment at work \u2014 but they bring up a football injury from 10 years ago.<\/li>\n
  • You tore your shoulder on the job \u2014 and they ask about a positive drug test from 2005.<\/li>\n
  • You need surgery after a fall at work \u2014 and they bring up your family history of diabetes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    None of this has anything to do with your current injury. But they\u2019ll still try to use it to deny or delay your workers\u2019 comp claim.<\/p>\n

    They Will Make It Sound Mandatory \u2014 But It\u2019s Not<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Adjusters and nurse case managers often say you have to sign their forms to get benefits. That\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n

    You are allowed to send them only the records they actually need\u2014like your doctor\u2019s notes about your work injury. If you hurt your shoulder, they don\u2019t need to see old records about your back or knee.<\/p>\n

    You Can Still Get Workers\u2019 Comp With a Preexisting Condition<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    We\u2019ve helped many clients whose jobs aggravated a preexisting condition\u2014people who had no symptoms until a work injury made it worse. That still qualifies under DC workers\u2019 comp law. What matters is whether the injury at work caused you to need treatment or miss time from your job.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t Sign Anything Until You Know Your Rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    If you\u2019re being asked to sign a blanket medical release after a DC work injury, talk to us first. At Donahoe Kearney, we help injured workers protect their rights and get the workers\u2019 comp benefits<\/a> they deserve.<\/p>\n

    Call us at 202-393-3320<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0or fill out this form here<\/a><\/strong><\/span> to get started.<\/p>\n