The Verdict with the Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Clarke Speaks

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Does it matter whose fault it was when you’re injured on the job? It’s one of the most common (and most misunderstood) questions in workers’ comp, and this episode of The Verdict, aims to set the record straight.

Workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser explains why fault doesn’t matter in most North Carolina workers’ compensation claims. Whether you slipped up, violated a safety rule, or did something dumb like donuts in a gravel lot, your case can still be compensable—because comp is designed as a no-fault system.

We’ll compare this to traditional personal injury cases (like slip-and-falls), where negligence can kill your case, and break down real-world scenarios where people wrongly assume they can’t recover.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

❌ Myth: If it’s your fault, you can’t file a claim
 ⚖️ Workers’ comp is a no-fault system by design
 🚜 Real story: a guy doing donuts in a Bobcat… and still eligible
 📖 Safety rule violations don’t automatically disqualify you
 🧠 Only intentional self-harm is a true legal disqualifier

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

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You got hurt at work, but does that mean you automatically have a workers’ comp case? Not so fast. In this episode of The Verdict, workers' compensation lawyer Brian Groesser joins Clarke to provide clarity into one of the most misunderstood areas of workers’ compensation: what legally qualifies as an “accident.”

This video will help explain the difference between an injury and an accident, why not all workplace injuries are compensable, and how one key factor—an “interruption in the work routine”—can make or break your claim. You’ll hear real examples involving torn rotator cuffs, back injuries, and hernias, along with how specific details (like lifting something alone or encountering something heavier than expected) can determine whether your case gets denied or paid.

If you’ve ever assumed “I got hurt at work, so it’s covered,” this episode is your guide to how the system really works.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

⚠️ Not all workplace injuries are workers’ comp cases
 🧠 Back injuries are treated differently under NC law
 🏥 Specific examples: rotator cuff, hernias, heavy lifting
 👨‍⚖️ Early legal help can mean the difference between denial and approval

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 

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When a workers’ comp doctor says you don’t need surgery but your body tells you otherwise, what can you do? In this powerful episode of The Verdict, workers' compensation lawyer Brian Groesser returns to explain how injured workers can get second opinions, challenge biased treatment decisions, and fight for the care they deserve.

Brian outlines the Independent Medical Examination (IME) process, how it works in North Carolina, and why it's often the turning point in getting proper treatment. He and Clark discuss how employer-approved doctors sometimes minimize injuries to save costs, and why having a legal advocate can level the playing field. 

You’ll learn how attorneys can communicate directly with treating physicians (while the other side can’t), and how that simple advantage can lead to better outcomes—physically, financially, and emotionally.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Independent Medical Examination

2:52 – Protecting your body

5:46 – Why it’s important

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

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Who really chooses your doctor after a workplace injury—you or the insurance company?

In this episode of The Verdict, catastrophic injury attorney Clark Speaks and workers’ comp lawyer Brian Groesser unpack one of the most frustrating realities for injured workers: once the claim is accepted, the insurance carrier gets to call the shots on your medical care.

Brian explains how carriers maintain lists of “good” and “bad” doctors—good meaning those who minimize treatment, avoid surgery, and send employees back to work quickly. But what happens when you’re still in pain and the system says, “You’re fine”?

We’ll tell you how this affects both your physical recovery and your wage loss claim, and how injured workers can end up making their condition worse by returning to work too soon.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Medical care decisions

2:30 – Why it matters

5:25 – Working through pain

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 

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In this episode of The Verdict, catastrophic injury attorney Clark Speaks talks with workers' compensation lawyer Brian Groesser about why the first 90 days after a workplace injury can make or break your claim.

Groesser breaks down the dangers of thinking “I can handle this myself” and explains how insurance companies use tools like Form 63 and surveillance to investigate—and potentially deny—your case even while paying benefits. We’ll share some of the hidden strategies carriers use so you know what to look out for. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Hiring a lawyer early can protect your rights, speed up your care, and keep the system from turning against you.

Resources for this episode:

⏳ Why the first 90 days are deceptively risky

📝 The real reason insurers use Form 63

🎙️ How casual recorded statements can be weaponized

 🧠 Surveillance, background checks, and ISO reports—explained

 ⚖️ How a lawyer protects your care, pay, and claim

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 

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The first 90 days after a workplace injury can make or break your workers’ comp case, but most injured workers don’t realize that until it’s too late. In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke and lead worker’s comp attorney Brian Groesser explain what really happens in those first few weeks and why your attorney becomes your biggest advocate against the insurance adjuster.  

Without proper guidance and representation, claims can get lost in the shuffle, leading to delays in medical treatment and compensation. The duo discusses real-life examples, illustrating how proactive legal representation can make a substantial difference in the outcome of a case. Brian lays out how an experienced attorney can put pressure on the insurance company, demand timely care, and keep your case from slipping through the cracks.  

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📆 Why the first 90 days are the most important in your case
 📉 How insurance adjusters quietly minimize your benefits
 🤝 Who’s really on your side — and who isn’t

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 

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After a workplace injury, most people think they’re dealing with someone who’s “on their side.” But what if that’s the biggest misunderstanding in the whole process? In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke talks with workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser to discuss the real role of insurance adjusters. 

They explain how adjusters — even the nice, polite ones — are not neutral parties, but trained professionals whose job is to reduce costs, limit medical treatment, and get you back to work as quickly as possible. Brian, who spent nearly two decades working with adjusters, shares how their job is structured to protect the insurance company — not the injured worker. This is a must-listen for anyone hurt on the job who’s wondering if they can “just work it out” with the insurance company.  

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📉 What an adjuster’s job really is — and it’s not helping you

📞 Why polite questions can be part of a cost-cutting strategy

🚫 Why “adjusting” your claim often means downward

💼 Understanding the insurance company’s profit model

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 

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The outcome of your workers' compensation claim could hinge on what you do — and say — in the first few hours after your injury. In this episode of The Verdict, Clarke continues his conversation with workers’ compensation attorney Brian Groesser to explain why the earliest moments in a claim matter most.  

Brian outlines the three documents that often determine the strength of a case: the incident report, the initial medical record, and Form 18. He explains how specificity, accuracy, and even timing can make or break a claim. You'll also learn why insurance adjusters are not your allies. Even if you have a good relationship with your employer, the adjusters can use your own words against you. Calling a lawyer early isn't just smart, it’s often critical, and we’re explaining why today. 

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📝 The three most important documents in your case
 ⚠️ Why vague or inconsistent reports can lead to denials
 📞 Why you should contact a lawyer before talking to anyone else
 💼 How insurance companies work against you from day one
 🎯 Why your words carry more weight than you realize

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 

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Just because you were hurt at work doesn’t mean your claim is covered, and the attorney you choose can make all the difference. So what separates one attorney from another? Today we sit down with workers’ comp attorney Brian Groesser to unpack the complexities of finding the right legal representation after a workplace injury. 

Workers' compensation law is filled with unique intricacies that differ significantly from other legal areas. It’s not enough to simply be injured at work; the injury must meet specific criteria to be considered compensable. An experienced attorney can navigate these nuances and help clients determine if they have a viable case. We’ll discuss the most common reasons claims are denied, the quirks of the system, and what qualities to look for in a great attorney. 

From understanding “injury by accident” rules to knowing how credibility, communication, and preparation affect settlement outcomes, this conversation goes beyond the basics.  

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🧾 Why not all workplace injuries are covered
 🧠 How experience with both sides of a claim matters
 💬 The number one client complaint — and how to avoid it
 🤝 Why credibility with insurers changes the outcome
 📅 How preparation from day one shapes the case

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 

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What if your most painful moments were shaping someone else’s future, even generations down the line? In part six of our conversation with Dr. Lowell Davis, the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington, we reflect on family, faith, and the invisible hands that guide our lives. 

Daivs shares powerful stories of loss, resilience, and what it meant to watch his mother overcome segregation-era limitations to pave a path that would lead her son into university leadership. He strongly believes people are placed in our lives because of an aunt who was the heart of the family, to students and strangers who shaped his life’s calling,  With honesty, vulnerability, and deep hope, he reminds us that helping others — especially when we don’t have to — may be the most sacred thing we ever do.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🕊️ How a mother’s sacrifice changed the future for her family
 📚 The power of generational breakthrough through education
 💔 Processing the sudden loss of a beloved aunt
 🌟 Why faith means seeing beyond what we can explain
 🙌 Giving back with no strings attached — just heart

About our guest: https://resources.uta.edu/student-affairs/vice-president.php

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 

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