What Should I Do When My Employer Wants Me To See Their Doctor?

Whenever you have an ongoing workers’ compensation claim, one of the most important things you need to decide is which doctor will handle your treatment.

Your doctor makes several important decisions throughout the course of your claim.

Your doctor will recommend treatment moving forward and will meet with representatives of your employer to discuss your return to work.

Most importantly, they will decide when you can go back to work and what restrictions to put on you, if any.

Red Flags To Watch Out For

Your boss may instruct you to visit their doctor at the beginning of your claim. They may try to trick you into selecting this doctor for the entire duration of your claim.

Employers choose doctors who prioritize their interests over yours, limiting your access to the best treatment options.

Here are situations that may happen during your claim and solutions for how to deal with them.

I was involved in an accident and my employer is telling me I have to see their doctor. What should I do?

One of the most important aspects of the Workers’ Compensation Act is that the employee always has the right to select any doctor he or she wishes.

In other words, you don’t have to select the doctor your employer recommends if you don’t want to.

If your employer is forcing you to see its doctor, it is important you communicate your wish to see your own doctor.

I already saw my employer’s doctor. Am I stuck with this doctor for the remainder of my claim?

If your employer directed you to a doctor and you’re already seeing that doctor, you still may be able to switch to another doctor to take over your treatment.

For example, if you did not sign a form indicating you wish for your employer’s doctor to be considered your choice, then that doctor is NOT your primary choice.
And you do not have to continue seeing them.

However, if you did sign a form indicating you wish to see your employer’s doctor, you may be unable to change physicians.

This is why it’s important to make sure you make the right choice at the beginning of your claim.

I’ve already selected my doctor and the employer still wants me to see their doctor. Do I have to go?

While you do have the right to select your own treating physician, your employer still has a right to have you examined by a doctor of their choosing as often as you desire.

If you refuse to let your employer’s doctor examine you, you may lose your rights to workers’ compensation benefits.

I’ve been examined by my doctor but my employer also had me examined by its choice of physician. My employer is now trying to have me examined by a third doctor.

Generally speaking, your employer cannot have you examined by more than one physician in a particular field or specialty.

If your employer’s doctor issues an opinion more favorable to you, your employer cannot have you examined by a third doctor in order to obtain a more favorable opinion.

But there are a few exceptions to this rule.

If a dispute develops between your doctor and your employer’s doctor regarding your condition or your ability to return to work, then your employer can apply for the State to appoint a third independent doctor to examine you.

Sometimes, the State allows the employer to have another examination even if the facts don’t back it up. So, it’s important to ensure that your employer doesn’t ask for a third examination if they don’t have the right to.

Navigating Worker’s Compensation Law

Workers’ compensation claims can take a long time, and it can be difficult to get medical treatment quickly and efficiently.

It’s important to be ready to defend your rights as an employee and ensure your employer doesn’t control your medical care.

Be sure to contact the attorneys at Workers’ Compensation, LLC to prevent this.

Our attorneys will protect you from your employer’s exploitation and ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.