If you suffer a workplace injury or fall ill on the job, do you know what steps you should take?
Workers’ compensation insurance can provide medical and wage benefits to workers who suffer work-related injuries. That means finding a worker’s comp doctor is critical if you need medical help and plan to file a claim.
But what is a worker’s comp doctor and what do they do? Here are three important things that you should know.
1. What They Do
If an injured worker wants to receive worker’s comp benefits after suffering a work-related injury or illness, they will need to see a doctor.
A worker’s comp doctor is there to evaluate the worker, get a detailed medical history, and document injuries and their severity. They will also learn how the workplace injury occurred and help decide if you will require time off work.
All of this information is used in your worker’s comp case, which will determine whether or not you receive worker’s comp benefits.
2. Why You Should Find a Worker’s Comp Doctor
Not all doctors take worker’s comp cases, so it’s essential to find a doctor who does.
By finding someone who specializes in and has experience handling these types of cases, you’re getting someone with built-in expertise with the claims process.
A workers compensation doctor will know what to look for in work-related injuries and be familiar with the types of questions they need to be asking in order to provide evidence in your worker’s comp case.
3. How to Choose a Doctor
Different states have different rules on how a doctor can be chosen for an injured worker. Because there’s not a single set of guidelines that you can follow, it’s important to look up your state’s rules before you make an appointment to see a doctor.
In some states, the power of choosing a doctor will go to the employer or insurance carrier. But in other states, the injured worker is the one who gets to select their doctor.
Because the laws can vary from state to state, it’s essential to know what you should be doing based on where you live. And because the process can be confusing, a worker’s comp doctor who is familiar with the process can help answer questions.
It’s also important to know your state’s laws in the event that you’d like to change doctors during your case.
If you live in a state where you are able to choose your worker’s compensation doctor, remember to do your due diligence and research before scheduling a visit.
It’s simple to do a quick Google search so you can read reviews of a doctor’s practice and get a feel for what other patients’ experiences have been like.
What’s Next?
If you ever experience an injury or fall ill while on the job, you now know why a worker’s comp doctor can be an asset in getting well again and filing your claim.
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