Recently, my wife noticed that our sprinkler system wasn’t working. Since our neighborhood had just experienced a power outage, this was puzzling—the system had a battery backup. After several failed attempts to fix it, she called our electrician. Upon arriving, he immediately pressed a GFCI reset button in our garage, and within 10 seconds, the system was back online. That quick fix cost us $140.

It reminded me of an earlier experience when I tried to install a digital thermostat to replace an older model. The electrician removed the old unit, twisted a couple of wires, and had the new one running in minutes. I commented, “That looked easy—I could’ve done that.” He smiled and said, “Sure—but I knew which wires to touch.”

That lesson stuck with me: knowing your limits and recognizing what you don’t know is as important as knowing what you do.

In workers’ compensation, that same principle applies every day. Adjusters are often asked to adjudicate complex clinical or procedural questions beyond their expertise. Similarly, clinical professionals sometimes get inquiries well outside their specialty—an orthopedic provider should not diagnose a liver condition, just as I wouldn’t attempt to handle a gynecologic case. The key is understanding when to call in the right expert.

How many times has a claim stalled because you weren’t sure which specialist or vendor to consult? In those moments, you need your own version of the electrician’s number—a trusted referral network.

Every adjuster should develop and maintain a list of go-to experts—orthopedic surgeons, IME providers, vocational specialists, and other key vendors—who can deliver timely, credible input. This resource does not just save time; it ensures accuracy and supports fair, well-documented decisions.

Start small. Identify one gap in your referral network and fill it this month. Over time, you’ll build a dependable team of professionals who help you “know which wires to touch”—quickly, confidently, and correctly.