In workers’ compensation, the injured worker is entitled to choose his or her own treating physicians. Don’t let the walk-in clinic or emergency room staff or the company’s “safety guy” or human resources or the Adjuster tell you who to see for your injury.
Some doctors choose to treat injured workers and some choose to work for the insurance companies. You won’t know what type of doctor you have until the insurance company starts to pressure him or her to release you to work so they can stop paying you. Then, you will realize if your doctor is on your side or there’s.
Contact an attorney specializing in workers’ compensation before choosing a doctor. If you go to the doctor the Adjuster or Employer recommend to you, the Adjuster will ask you to sign a paper saying that he or she is your “choice of physician.” They do that so you cannot later say that doctor is their doctor and not yours.
Choosing a doctor is the most important decision you will make in the course of your claim.
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