{"id":16689,"date":"2014-10-20T21:56:45","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T21:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/clekis.com\/?p=16689"},"modified":"2014-10-20T21:56:45","modified_gmt":"2014-10-20T21:56:45","slug":"seeking-treatment-workers-comp-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themediabeast.com\/resources\/seeking-treatment-workers-comp-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking Treatment in a Workers Comp Case"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"medical\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you suffered an injury at work or while performing your work duties, it\u2019s important to take the right steps when seeking medical treatment. Getting appropriate medical care is not only important for your health and recovery, but also for maximizing your workers\u2019 compensation benefits and making sure that you\u2019re properly compensated for your injuries. (For more information about how to initiate a workers\u2019 compensation claim, see Nolo\u2019s article Filing a Workers Compensation Claim<\/a>).<\/p>\n

When Should You Seek Treatment?<\/h2>\n

With any injury, even injuries that seem minor, you should seek treatment right away. This means seeing a doctor immediately after a work-related accident or at the first sign of any symptoms that might be due to your work duties. Being treated soon after you\u2019ve been injured serves two important purposes. First, early treatment makes it more likely that you\u2019ll recover from your injuries faster. Second, the closer in time to your accident that you receive treatment, the less room it gives your employer (or its insurance company) to argue that your injuries are not work-related.<\/p>\n

No matter what, you should resist the urge to \u201ctough it out\u201d or downplay the seriousness of your injuries. This can delay or impede your recovery, and it can affect the scope of treatment authorized by workers\u2019 comp or the amount of benefits you ultimately receive.<\/p>\n

Where Should You Go to Get Treatment?<\/h2>\n

If you need immediate medical attention, you should go to the nearest emergency room for treatment. For non-emergency situations, you\u2019ll need to follow your state\u2019s rules on the proper channels for obtaining medical care. Some states give the employee the right to choose the doctor who will treat you for your injuries (called your “treating doctor” in workers’ comp lingo), while others give the employer that right. Still other states have more complicated rules for selecting a treating doctor. For example, in California, the employer can choose the treating doctor unless the employee took steps to officially designate a treating physician prior to the accident. Or, in Massachusetts, the employer can choose the doctor for the initial visit, but the employee can select the doctor for any subsequent treatment.<\/p>\n

Although doctors hired by employers (or their insurance companies) are supposed to be objective, they often have close and financially rewarding relationships with the employers that refer them cases. Because of this, it\u2019s in your best interest to receive treatment from a doctor you know and trust. Whenever possible, you should choose your own treating physician. Make sure to choose a doctor who is both experienced and articulate. Treating physicians are often called upon to provide written reports or even oral testimony, so it\u2019s important that your doctor can clearly and convincingly explain the reasons behind his or her decisions regarding your care.<\/p>\n

In any case, you should make sure that you obtain treatment through the correct avenues and from a properly licensed or credentialed doctor. Otherwise, you run the risk that your medical bills will not be covered.<\/p>\n

What Role Does Your Treating Doctor Play?<\/h2>\n

The doctor who ends up treating you will play an essential role in your workers\u2019 compensation case. Your treating doctor will make important decisions about your care, including:<\/p>\n