Getting the right medical treatment is very important when you suffer a serious injury. A very important part of getting the right medical treatment is treating with a very skilled doctor.
Workers compensation should cover your medical treatment when you suffer a serious injury at work. But, who decides which doctor will treat your injury in a workers compensation case?
Does your employer or the workers compensation insurance company get to pick your doctor?
Yes and no. Neither your employer or the insurance company have the right to pick your doctor. Despite not having the right to do so, they often do pick your doctor.
That can sound a little confusing. What it means is that Georgia’s workers compensation law does not give your employer or the workers compensation insurance company the right to choose your doctor. But, they often pick your doctor even though they do not have the right to do so.
How do they do this? They schedule an appointment and send you to a doctor after you report your injury. They usually do not ask who you want to go see. They just decide for you.
If the doctor they send you to says you need to see a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist, the workers compensation insurance company usually does not ask what specialist you want to see. Instead, they pick the specialist as well.
Can you pick your own doctor?
Yes. You can pick your own doctor, but there are limits on your choices. You often have to pick from a list of doctors that has been put together by your employer. This list is called the panel of physicians.
Georgia’s workers compensation law requires your employer to put together a panel of physicians. The panel has to have at least six doctors, and there are other requirements about what types of doctors should be on the panel. The law also requires your employer to post the panel of physicians at prominent places on the business premises.
If your employer follows all the rules about the panel of physicians, then you will probably have to pick your workers compensation doctor off this list. But, if your employer does not follow the rules, then you may be able to pick any doctor you want.
Being able to pick any doctor you want can be a huge advantage in making sure you see an excellent doctor. Instead of being limited to a list of six doctors who have been selected by your employer, you will have a much broader choice of which doctor will treat your injury.
Does a workers compensation judge pick your doctor?
Sometimes. A workers compensation judge does not usually select your initial workers compensation doctor. But, there are some times where a judge does get to pick your doctor.
This usually happens when there is a hearing or motion filed in your workers compensation case requesting a change of doctors. This could be requested by you, your workers compensation attorney, your employer, or the workers compensation insurance company.
When a hearing is held or a motion is filed requesting a change of physician, a judge will end up making a decision about whether your current workers compensation doctor will be changed out for a different workers compensation doctor. The judge could order that your doctor stay the same. The judge could also order that your doctor should be changed.
Can your workers compensation attorney pick your doctor?
A workers compensation attorney can do several things to help you in picking a doctor. First, a workers compensation attorney who represents you can give you advice about your rights to select a doctor under Georgia’s workers compensation law. They can review the panel of physicians and help determine whether you have to select a doctor from the panel of physicians or can pick any doctor you would like.
When you decide on a doctor, an attorney can also file paperwork selecting the workers compensation doctor on your behalf. In certain situation, this paperwork is a letter to the insurance company. In other situations, it is a form that has to be filed with the State Board of Workers Compensation.
If you want to try to change your workers compensation doctor, an attorney can advise you about your right to change doctors on the panel of physicians or can file a motion or a hearing to seek to get your doctor changed.
What if I have other questions about workers compensation?
Georgia’s workers compensation system can be very confusing. You have to worry about getting the treatment you need and paying your bills while also worrying about not missing any deadlines that could cause you to lose your right to receive workers compensation benefits.
If you have questions, I would recommend that you try to get answers. To find out more about how to schedule a time to talk to me about your workers compensation questions, just read this short article.
Jason Perkins is an attorney who specializes in representing injured workers. He regularly publishes videos and write blog articles about Georgia’s workers compensation system and issues that are important to injured workers and their families.
To be notified of Jason’s new workers compensation videos, subscribe to his Georgia Workers Compensation Video Series channel on YouTube by clicking the subscribe button below.
It took me probably too long to finally get a lawyer when my work comp claim started and I had no idea what I should do. I read reviews and upon recommendation of several people started the process of getting a lawyer. I am fortunate and lucky to have come across Perkins Studdard. Jason and his team has taken care of me since the moment I first called them and made sure any and all questions I had were answered as well as working hard to get me my settlement so I can continue receiving treatment. If you're looking for a good law firm to represent you in your worker's compensation case I would highly highly recommend this one.Autumn Fields
I highly recommend Perkins Law Firm. Throughout the whole process Perkins team kept me updated and explained everything very well. I am very pleased with their work. You will not be disappointed!!trina flornce
Mr. Perkins and team...Tina* they have all been so awesome. Always available to talk to me with any concerns. Kept me informed on my case all the way. Greatly appreciated!Missy Cherry
Amazing! Jason and his team were very helpful and had the best communication by far. Walked me though every step with great detail and had answers for any question I had. They handled my case better then I could imagine, it was a weird case and they stayed on top of it and kept me updated every step of the way! Highly recommend this Team! Thanks so much to Jason and his Awesome team!
-BrittneyBrittney-lee orourke
This law firm is very good at what it does the staff and the lawyer's that were involved with my case all were very perfesional and curious I couldn't ask for a better law firm I want to thank everyone for a great job thanks Les RyanLeslie Ryan
I absolutely love this group of attorneys, when I was at my lowest they did everything they could to help me get justice for my injury. I believe if I were to have never picked my phone up and called the amazing group that helped me I definitely would not have received my idea of rights. If you have an issue and are just not sure please understand that they will help you, stay in contact, answer any question you have, and for sure get you the justice you deserve I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I will definitely refer them to anyone who has been hurt because they most definitely care about their work and clients.China Jones
The entire law office was attentive and responsive to all of my concerns dealing with my workers compensation case.Luv Locs
If you must get a lawyer involved, you’d do well to work with Jason Perkins and his team at Perkins Studdard Law.
They were thorough in gathering information and in sharing all the steps in the workers comp process specific to my case. Jason and the team were responsive to my bevy of questions and concerns.
I appreciated the informative videos and consultations provided by Jason over video meetings and multiple phone calls.
I hope I’m never injured on the job again. However, if I am and if my employer responds as my previous employer did, I’ll contact Perkins Studdard Law immediately to handle the case.moombi
Everyone at Perkins Studdard was kind and professional. They were always extremely responsive and answered all questions that I had and followed up to make sure I had an understanding of what was going on along with emailing videos to explain every step of my case so I would know what to expect and be prepared. Jason is a very genuine person and I trusted him with my case. He answered so many questions for me even before I retained him as my WC lawyer. I highly recommend him and his associates at Perkins Studdard.Dana Bess
Great staff and very knowlegable. They treat you like family and work hard to get you what you need. Highly recommended.Josh Carter
Navigating Georgia’s workers’ compensation system can be a daunting task, leaving you with numerous questions and uncertainties. If you find yourself in this situation, we strongly encourage you to seek clarification and find the answers you need. Perkins Studdard is here to help you through this process and provide the support you deserve.
