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It’s easy to get frustrated with your workers’ comp claim. You’re not alone. Delays, restrictions, and tough assignments can make quitting feel like the only option—but it could be one of the costliest mistakes you make.

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke Speaks and Brian Groesser explain why voluntarily quitting your job during an active workers’ compensation claim almost always hurts your case. They discuss how quitting cuts off your weekly benefits, removes your leverage in mediation, and can leave you with no income for months while waiting on a hearing.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🚫 Don’t quit – Voluntarily quitting usually stops your weekly checks immediately.

⚖️ Leverage matters – Ongoing benefits give you bargaining power in mediation.

⏳ Litigation delays – Filing for benefits can take 9–12 months without income.

🕵️ Carrier tactics – Unpleasant work assignments may be designed to make you quit.

📞 Consult first – Always talk to an attorney before walking away from your job.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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What happens if you get hurt on the job and your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance?

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke Speaks and Brian Groesser unpack the challenges employees face when an employer fails to carry required coverage. Brian explains the role of the “uninsured docket,” why recovery is often limited, and how employers sometimes hide behind “ghost policies” that look valid but offer no real protection.

If you’re wondering whether you’re protected at work, or what to do if your employer doesn’t have the coverage they should, we’ll give you the information you need today.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

⚖️ Uninsured docket – Injured workers can pursue claims, but recovery is often limited.

🚩 Ghost policies – Fake or hollow coverage that protects contractors, not employees.

🛠️ High-risk industries – Construction is the most common area for missing coverage.

🔍 Verify coverage – Use the NC Industrial Commission website to check employer insurance.

📞 Get help early – Attorneys can confirm coverage and guide you before problems arise.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Getting hurt on the job is stressful enough, but what if your employer refuses to file your workers’ comp claim?

Today we’re talking about what really happens when an employer ignores an injury report or tries to pay you off under the table. Brian breaks down the official triggers for a claim, like $400 in medical expenses or more than one missed day of work, and why insurance carriers can’t act if they never hear about your injury.

From HR stonewalling to outright payoffs, Clarke and Brian explain your rights, the proper forms to file, and why having an attorney step in early ensures you don’t get taken advantage of.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📝 Claim triggers – $400+ in medical bills or more than one missed workday requires a claim.

🚫 Employer silence – If they don’t tell the carrier, your benefits never start.

💵 Illegal payoffs – Employers cannot legally offer money to avoid filing a claim.

📞 Go to HR – Ask for the workers’ comp carrier info directly.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Think twice before you hit “post.” In today’s world, social media could make or break a legal case.

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke talks with workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser about how insurance companies and defense attorneys use social media to build or dismantle injury claims. Brian shares real stories from his time as a defense attorney, including cases won solely because of contradictory social media posts. From surveillance tactics to metadata recovery, he explains why nothing you share online is truly private and how even well-intentioned posts can be taken out of context.

If you have an active claim, this episode is an essential reminder: guard your credibility by guarding your social media.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📱 Social media surveillance – Defense teams actively track Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and more.

⚖️ Posts vs. claims – Contradictory content can ruin your credibility with doctors and judges.

🚫 Don’t delete – Metadata can expose deleted posts as evidence tampering.

👀 Friends of friends – Insurers can legally view your posts through mutual connections.

🧠 Golden rule – Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want a judge to see in court.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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When you get hurt at work, doing the “tough” thing is to work through the pain, but that can actually destroy your workers’ comp case.

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke Speaks and workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser explain why delaying reporting an injury is one of the biggest mistakes employees make. Brian walks through a common scenario: someone tweaks their back, keeps pushing through for weeks, then finally reports it, only to have the insurance carrier deny the claim.

You’ll learn why timing is everything, how the law gives you 30 days to report but insurance companies use delays against you, and why even a small injury should be documented right away.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📑 30-day window – The law gives time, but carriers will still fight late reports.

🏋️ Don’t “tough it out” – Working through pain often backfires legally.

🏥 Create a medical record – Even a minor visit documents the injury early.

🚫 Avoid red flags – The longer the delay, the more likely denial becomes.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Imagine getting hurt at work, loving your job, and then being told you may have to resign just to settle your workers’ comp case. It’s a shocking reality many injured employees face.

In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke and workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser explain why insurance companies often demand resignations as part of a settlement, and what that means for injured workers. They break down the logic from the insurer’s perspective (avoiding future liability), why employers themselves may not even want you gone, and what trade-offs you face if you want to keep your job.

This conversation sheds light on one of the least understood—and most frustrating—aspects of workers’ comp, and why knowing your options before mediation is critical.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🏥 It’s not your employer – Insurance companies, not employers, usually push for resignations.

🚫 Not required by law – You don’t have to resign, but refusing may mean a smaller settlement.

💵 The trade-off – Bigger payout vs. keeping your job

🧾 Insurer’s rationale – Resignation caps their liability for future re-injuries.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Getting injured at work is stressful enough and navigating workers’ comp on top of that can feel overwhelming. In this episode of The Verdict, lead workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser joins Clarke to walk through the very first steps you should take after a workplace injury.

From seeking immediate medical attention to documenting the incident while memories are fresh, Brian explains why timing matters. He also shares why calling an attorney early doesn’t cost you anything but can save you from major missteps later. We’ll use analogies from March Madness and even oil changes to highlight how having an experienced “coach” in your corner levels the playing field against insurance carriers who deal with these cases every day.

You’ll also learn why many workers’ comp cases end in settlements that require resignation, and how being unprepared or unrepresented can leave you with pennies on the dollar and no job.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🏥 Health first – Get immediate medical treatment before worrying about paperwork.

📝 Report the incident quickly – Memories fade; document while details are fresh.

📞 Call an attorney early – Initial consultations cost nothing and set you on the right path.

🏀 Don’t play without a coach – Insurance carriers have experts; you need one too.

⚠️ Settlements often require resignation – Don’t accept pennies on the dollar without guidance.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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What happens if you’re hurt at work and someone outside your employer is responsible? In this episode of The Verdict, lead workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser joins Clarke to explain how workers’ comp and third-party negligence claims overlap, and why that makes your case more complex.

Brian walks through real-world scenarios, like delivery drivers injured in car accidents, where employees can have both a workers’ comp claim and a lawsuit against the at-fault party. They discuss how these two tracks play out, what a workers’ comp lien is, and why the law doesn’t allow you to be paid twice for the same injury. Most importantly, they explain how skilled attorneys can negotiate liens down—or even wipe them out entirely—so more money ends up in your pocket.

If you’ve ever wondered how multiple claims interact after a workplace injury, we’ll take you through one of the trickiest parts of North Carolina workers’ comp law.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📑 Workers’ comp lien – Comp carriers can demand repayment from your third-party settlement.

⚖️ Double recovery not allowed – The law aims to make you whole, not pay twice for the same injury.

✍️ Negotiation power – Judges can reduce or even eliminate liens if argued well.

💼 Right legal team – Attorneys who handle both comp and negligence cases give you the best advantage.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP