After you have filed a workers’ compensation claim in Philadelphia for a workplace injury, you may be required to answer questions about your case in a deposition. It can be nerve wracking to sit under oath in front of a camera and answer questions, which can be personal, in front of people that you only met moment before. You understand the facts of your case, but it can be extremely helpful to be prepared to answer the types of questions they will ask of you. If you are as prepared as possible, none of the questions will catch you off guard. You want to appear relaxed and be able to answer questions without getting flustered.
You may be asked about the following in your workers’ compensation deposition:
- Your personal life at home, your marital status, whether you have children, and how your workplace injury or illness affects your life at home
- What kind of work you did at previous jobs, the names and dates you were employed and whether you were ever fired
- Details about the accident that caused your injury
- Describe your current level of disability with regard to performing work tasks
We want you to be as prepared as possible for the deposition. An attorney from Larry Pitt & Associates will help prepare you for the questions, but here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Tell the truth. You will take an oath to tell the truth before you give your deposition. Giving false testimony is perjury, which has criminal consequences and might cause you to lose your case.
- Have a firm grasp of the answers they will likely ask. Become thoroughly familiar with the details of your case and be prepared to answer questions about the issues mentioned above.
- Listen carefully and answer the question asked of you. Allow the questioner to finish asking their question, take a moment to reflect, take a breath and answer the question you have been asked.
- Do not be afraid to ask for clarification if you do not understand they question. You are permitted to ask the person questioning you to repeat or rephrase the question if you do not understand it or are unclear on how to provide an answer.
- Do not make a wild guess if you are unsure of an answer. If the answer you are giving is a rough estimate because you are unsure of the actual answer, make sure that the questioner knows this.
- Speak clearly. Make sure you can be heard and recorded correctly.
- Ask for a break if the questioning goes on for too long. If you need a glass of water or a bathroom break, ask for it. Stretching out your legs to get the blood flowing can help keep you alert, too.
- Be on time. In fact, make sure that you show up early for your deposition.
- Remember where you are. Dress appropriately and act in a professional manner.
Your Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney Larry Pitt & Associates will help you prepare for the deposition so that you will feel as confident and comfortable as possible when the day comes.
Preparing for a deposition for your workers’ compensation claim can be complicated. If you need representation, you are welcome to give us a call. At the Philadelphia law firm of Larry Pitt & Associates we listen to your questions, and give you all of the legal guidance and support that you need. Please contact us or call 888.PITT.LAW to schedule a case review with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Philadelphia. We serve clients throughout Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
