Will I need to testify, and if so, what should I know before doing so?

Answer

Technically, you will not be testifying at a pretrial conference in Workers’ Compensation Court because no formal testimony is taken at that stage—you won’t be placed under oath or called to the stand. However, a judge may still ask you simple factual questions such as “How did you get hurt?” or “What symptoms are bothering you now?” When speaking to the judge, it’s respectful to stand while answering. Even though you are not under oath, you still must be completely truthful. Preparing with your lawyer beforehand can help you understand what to expect, including possible questions and whether you’ll need to speak at all. You can also review topics like what happens during a workers’ comp hearing or how a hearing compares to a trial to better understand the process. For personalized guidance, our workman’s compensation lawyers can help you prepare, and visiting our RI workers’ comp benefits can provide more context about the court procedures involved.

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