If there are issues in dispute between the injured worker and the insurance company, what generally happens is the injured worker’s attorney files a form called a WC-14 Request for Hearing form. This places the matter “on the calendar.” In other words, you get a date for your hearing, which is a court proceeding before the Administrative Law Judge. That is also the point when formal discovery takes place and the insurance company will likely depose you. Once they depose you they will want to get medical records from your doctors and likely talk to witnesses. This takes some time. Unfortunately because it takes time to get all the information together, hearings frequently get “continued” to new dates. It may take several months to actually have the hearing. In lieu of proceeding to a hearing, the parties will frequently try to informally resolve the matter, or the entire case.
