Seeking Medical Attention After Your On-the-Job Injury

If you are injured while working you can receive the medical treatment you need through your employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier, or the employer itself if it is self insured. Workers compensation pays for all necessary and reasonable medical treatment for injuries or death that occurs during the course of employment.

However, it is important to keep the following in mind when seeking medical treatment after being hurt while on the job:

• Notify your employer as soon as possible so that they can arrange for you to receive the medical attention you need. The workers compensation carrier investigates to determine that you are eligible. If you are eligible they must provide you with the necessary medical treatment. If they find you are not eligible for workers compensation, you can challenge their determination by filing a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
• Your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier has the right by law to decide where you go for treatment including choosing the physician who will treat you. However, if the workers compensation carrier does not provide reasonable medical care to treat your condition, you can petition to see another physician by filing a Motion for Medical and/or Temporary Disability Benefits.
• You can contest the findings of the workers compensation physician, including their conclusion that you have reached maximum improvement, can return to work, or that your injuries are not work related. You can request an informal non-binding hearing before a judge, or file a formal claim within two years. The claim is decided at trial, based on the evidence.
• When going to the workers compensation physician, ask questions about the diagnosis and course of treatment. Take notes as to the length of the examinations and what information you are being given by the doctor.

Our workers compensation lawyers have represented many workers injured on the job and have been successful in helping our clients receive the proper medical care they deserve.