All too often, we see workers who were injured at work, but thought the injury wasn’t serious and didn’t get it checked out by a doctor. Not only can this lead to a worsening of your injury, but it can make it more difficult to secure the workers’ compensation benefits that you deserve. If you have been injured at work, even if it seems like a minor injury, promptly tell your supervisor or employer and then seek medical treatment. Then, contact the PA workers’ compensation attorneys at Pearson Koutcher Law to make sure you get the benefits that you are entitled to.
First and foremost, it is important for your recovery that you seek medical treatment. Ignoring your injuries or failing to get treatment could cause your injury to worsen and jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim. When you are injured at work, you should receive medical attention as soon as possible. When you go to the doctor, be as straightforward and complete as possible when describing how you injured yourself as well as your medical history. If the doctor asks you a question, answer honestly even if you think it may hurt your case. For example, if you tell your doctor that you had no previous neck injuries when actually you hurt your neck in a car accident two years earlier, this could come back to haunt you when the Judge in you case decides whether you are credible.
If you injure yourself at work, you are allowed to choose your own doctor unless the employer has a valid list of six panel providers. If there is a panel list, in order for workers’ compensation to pay your medical bills, you must treat with providers on this list for the first 90 days following your injury. After the expiration of the 90-day period, you may treat with the doctors of your choice. This choice of doctor is important because sometimes employer doctors have the interests of the insurance company ahead of yours. This can lead them to render the opinion that you fully recovered even if you are still injured and experiencing pain.
Doctors’ opinions on both the cause and nature of your injury will serve as important evidence in your case. The insurance company will likely send you to their doctor for an Independent Medical Examination (IME). Because these examinations are skewed toward the interests of the insurance company, you want to make sure you have a doctor who has your best interest at heart. This is critical because your case will likely require the testimony of a doctor who supports your claim. If you need help finding the right doctors to treat you for your work injuries, contact the PA workers’ compensation attorneys at Pearson Koutcher Law. Our experienced attorneys and office staff will help you navigate the workers’ compensation process and find the best medical experts to treat your work injury and testify for you.
If you were injured at work and have questions about receiving medical care or your benefits, contact the PA workers’ compensation attorneys at Pearson Koutcher Law. Our experienced attorneys will answer all your questions during a free consultation.