Get the Medical Treatment You Deserve in Pennsylvania
When you suffer an injury or illness, it is important to have trust in the doctor who provides your medical care. Your health is very personal and you probably would like to have a familiar physician treat you. If you are injured on the job and wish to file for workers' compensation benefits, however, your employer has the right to exert a certain amount of control over the doctor you choose.
In Pennsylvania, employers are allowed to control medical treatment for the first 90 days of treatment for a work related injury. In order to have this right, employers must have a panel of doctors of various specialties that are available to employees, and the employee will then choose a doctor from this panel. Once this initial 90 day period is over, the employee may treat with any doctor of his or her own choosing.
Learn more about your rights under workers' compensation law by talking with an experienced lawyer at the Lancaster County law firm of Vanasse Law LLC. Our firm will stand up for your rights under the law.
Independent Medical Examination
In workers' compensation cases, insurance companies have the right to send injured workers who are either seeking or receiving benefits to independent medical examinations (IMEs). This is not a treating doctor, but one selected by the insurance company to examine you and report back to the insurance company about your condition. Based on this report, the insurance company may seek to deny, change or even terminate benefits. This request can happen even after the first 90 days, and, if you are receiving benefits, an insurance company may request an IME every six months.
Some insurance companies will also attempt to send nurses to claimants' medical appointments. You do not have to consent to this. In fact, the purpose of the nurses is generally to obtain information adverse to your case.
You have the absolute right to refuse the nurse permission to go into the exam room with you or to speak with your doctor.
Prompt Medical Treatment is Important
If you have a work injury or illness, it is essential that you report the injury as soon as possible to your employer, and seek appropriate, prompt medical attention.
Contact us at the Lancaster law firm of Vanasse Law LLC to learn more about your rights at a free initial consultation. Call us toll free at 717-397-1010 (toll free at 888-576-0240) to make an appointment and speak with an attorney in person about your situation.
