If you’ve been hurt at your workplace, you want to get the best medical treatment possible. A great doctor can offer just that, but workers’ compensation can get complicated. You must discuss your condition with the workers’ compensation doctor to get the treatment you need.
Most injury victims don’t understand the significance of these doctors in their injury claims. But your workers’ compensation insurance company and employer almost certainly know their importance, and you can bet that they’ve probably reached out to the doctor for a chat. Most likely, they’ve discussed the following:
- What treatments they’ll approve
- The likelihood of getting back to light-duty tasks
- The specialist they wish the doctor to recommend
Based on their immense impact on your personal injury claim, it’s essential to know the role of your workers’ compensation doctor and what to discuss with them. It’s also advisable to work with a reputable New Orleans workers’ compensation attorney to safeguard your rights.
What’s the Role of a Workers’ Compensation Doctor in Your Lawsuit?
Also known as the authorized treating physician, the worker’s comp doctor holds much power in your case. They can affect your lawsuit in the following ways:
- They’ll determine the specialist who will handle your workplace injury.
- Their opinion about injury causation will determine whether you’re eligible for compensation under the Workers Compensation Act.
- Their views regarding your work status will determine whether you’ll get temporary partial disability benefits, temporary total disability benefits, or nothing at all.
- They’ll determine whether you can handle a light-duty job or return to work fully.
- Their views on your permanent impairment level will determine how much you’ll get as partial disability benefits.
- After determining causation, they’ll decide whether your employer and the insurance company will cover the recommended treatments.
- Their opinion on the required future treatments and therapy will determine the potential settlement value.
Based on their role in your case, it’s essential to choose the right workers’ compensation doctor and be careful when sharing details with them. Your workers’ compensation attorney will guide you aptly.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Topics to Discuss With Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor
Your discussion with the authorized treating physician can be sensitive due to their impact on your claim. Therefore, it’s crucial to chat with your attorney before the doctor’s appointment. Going unprepared or ignoring questions could damage your claim.
Stick to the following topics when discussing with your workers’ compensation attorney:
- The work-related bodily harm that you qualify to seek compensation for
- Your medical history
- The symptoms exhibited by your injury
- Your pain and suffering
- How the hurt has affected your personal or work duties
- Immediate and long-term treatment offered to the specific injury
- Any side effects from medication
- Your quality of life after the accident
It would help to maintain precise records of your injury and the treatment you received, progress over time, and any improvements or deterioration. Also, keep photo evidence of the damages so you don’t have to struggle remembering dates, physician details, and other crucial information. You’ll also be able to provide the workers’ compensation doctor with comprehensive insight into your condition.
Questions to Ask Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor
The conversation with your worker’s comp doctor should be two-way. They’ll likely ask you many questions, but it’s also crucial that you ask some questions as well. Ask them about the following:
- Diagnosis – If you don’t understand your diagnosis, make sure you ask questions to be fully informed. A detailed diagnosis will also help your employer determine when you’ll return, and the insurer will know the injury severity.
- Treatment – Learn the required therapy and tests to know the extent of your injury and the expected recovery time. This will keep you prepared for any resultant limitations.
- Complications – Some illnesses and injuries are prone to future difficulties, and learning about them will help you gauge your healing and know what the future may look like.
- Returning to work – Knowing how the injury will affect your duties will help your employer set the best time to return. During recovery, your physician may recommend light work duties to prevent further damage.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
What You Shouldn’t Tell Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor
Avoid the following with your workers’ compensation doctor regardless of the circumstance:
- Incorrect details about your pre-existing conditions, prior injuries, or medical history
- Falsifying how the accident occurred or the extent of the injury
- Exaggerating or downplaying your symptoms, including functionality or pain
- Delaying treatment
- Not continuing with the treatment until you’re fully recovered
The ultimate objective is to return to work when you are fully functional and in the best state after the accident. Staying honest with the workers’ compensation doctor and looking for the right healthcare services will help you achieve this.
What If the Insurance Provider Is Interfering With Your Treatment?
Most insurance companies and adjusters try controlling the medical treatment by speaking with your workers’ compensation doctor. But they should neither control you nor push the treating physician around.
You want a dependable doctor who’ll stay firm with the unscrupulous insurers. So make sure you discuss every aspect of your case with them and involve a worker’s comp attorney to handle the insurance adjuster and gather sufficient evidence. This is the best step to improve your entire physical and financial recovery chances.
Let an Experienced Attorney Help You Talk to Your Workers Compensation Doctor
While it should be easy to get the deserved medical treatment after an accident at the workplace, the process is never as smooth. Insurance companies are always trying to convince the workers’ compensation doctor to get you back to work before you’re fit or recommend conservative treatments that further delay your recovery.
You can fight for the medical treatment yourself, but hiring an experienced attorney from Morris Bart’s law firm could increase your chances of winning. Call for a free consultation around the clock.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
