After suffering a workplace injury, you will need to have a medical review by a doctor in order to have your condition evaluated. This evaluation will be extremely important to the determination of your compensation.
Below are some frequently asked questions as it relates to seeing a doctor to evaluate your work-related injuries:
Do I have to see a company-provided doctor for medical treatment of my work-related injury?
If you have been injured on the job and your employer has designated a physician, you must seek initial treatment with him or her. If you fail to do so, you may put your workers’ compensation benefits in jeopardy.
After seeing the company designated doctor, you are free to choose your own physician. However, your choice of doctor must be licensed in Connecticut and must accept workers compensation insurance payments. Not all doctors will be approved. If your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company creates a medical plan for you, you must follow that plan.
What happens to my workers’ compensation benefits if the physician releases me to light-duty work?
If your physician determines that you are eligible for light-duty work, he or she must still approve the light-duty tasks that your company assigns to you. If you feel that you’re not able to perform the tasks that you have been assigned, you should request the assistance of your attorney in having the situation evaluated and resolved.
If your physician releases you to light-duty work and your employer does not have any such work to assign to you, you must search for appropriate employment and submit weekly proof of that search in order to continue to collect your compensation even though, for the time being, you’re not working.
If I go back to work, will workers’ compensation continue to pay my medical expenses?
Once you are back on the job workers’ compensation will usually continue to pay your work injury related medical expenses, but cases may vary.
What if the company physician releases me to return to work but my own health practitioner disagrees?
In cases where your physician disagrees with your employer’s physician as to your ability to return to work, your employer may file a Form 36 to modify, suspend, or terminate your benefits. With this kind of situation, it is imperative that you retain the services of a legal professional. If your employer files a Form 36 to change or terminate your benefits, your case will be heard by the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner only if you file an objection with 15 days. A Commissioner can suggest a compromise or send you to a neutral physician to resolve the dispute.
Will I be refunded for travel charges related to medical therapy?
It is possible to obtain reimbursement for your travel related expenses when seeking treatment for your work-related injuries.
In order to be reimbursed you should:
- Save invoices for any parking or toll related charges
- Keep a record of the mileage driven in relation to going to and from treatment
Remember that certain travel charges may not be reimbursable. Consult your attorney for more information.
In order to both efficiently process your claim and qualify you for maximum compensation, it is imperative that you work with a competent workers’ compensation attorney. At the Law Offices of Andrew J. Cates, LLC, we have the experience and legal experience necessary to help you claim the compensation that you rightfully deserve. If you have been injured on the job in Connecticut, please call us immediately toll free at (800) 330-4988 or (860) 522-7044, or contact us online for valuable information and assistance relating to your workers’ compensation claim.