Can I See My Personal Doctor for a Work-Related Injury?

After suffering a work-related injury, you want to recover in the best, most comfortable way possible. For some of us, that involves seeing your own personal doctor instead of a complete stranger. However, does workers’ compensation law or your employer dictate whom you can and cannot see? Read on to learn more about workers’ compensation and seeing your personal doctor after an on-the-job injury.

Workers’ Compensation for Your Work-Related Injury

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (the “Act”) requires most employers to buy workers’ comp insurance. This insurance provides important benefits to people who have a work-related injury or illness. Coverage generally begins on qualified workers’ first day at work and continues throughout their employment. It’s critical to understand that these benefits are available, especially since some restrictions and requirements apply.

For example, employers do have some control over which medical professionals an injured worker can see.

The Physicians List or Panel List

Under Pennsylvania law, however, employers are allowed to prepare a list of designated doctors and other health care workers. But workers’ compensation law also requires injured workers to use this list to find doctors and other medical professionals for treatment.

However, employers must follow certain guidelines regarding their list like:

• Providing written notice to employees;
• Having employees sign the notice when hired or whenever changes have occurred;
• Naming at least six medical provides, three of whom must be physicians;
• Including the providers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and specialties;
• Not telling workers which provider to use;
• Including geographically accessible providers; and
• Including specialists in fields that are appropriate for potential industry-related injuries.

Under certain circumstances, workers can go off-list to find medical providers.

For example, workers can see their personal doctors or other doctors of their choosing if the employer fails to follow the physician list guidelines. In some cases, the employer might fail to include appropriate specialists. Maybe workers in your industry are susceptible to burn-related injuries. If so, and the employer fails to include burn specialists on the list, you can choose your own doctor.

If you feel strongly that you need to choose your own doctor, talk to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible.

You May Have Questions About Your Work-Related Injury

If so, contact a law firm that understands workers’ compensation cases. We can help analyze your case and decide on a course of action.

For 115 years, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Powell Law have provided valuable assistance to residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania seeking to recover damages for injuries or harm caused by any type of tort, whether based on intentional or negligent conduct, or actions for which strict or absolute liability may be imposed. Contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777 or visit us online. Call now for a FREE case evaluation. You don’t pay unless we win!