Medical Treatment Rights
Even if you think your injury is minor, you need to make sure that you understand and protect your rights to medical treatment and weekly benefits. Many times, what seems like a minor injury can become a much more serious one.
It is important to know your rights because the workers’ compensation laws in Georgia can be confusing and complicated. For example, you might have some of the following questions:
- Do I have a right to choose my doctor?
- Can the insurance company deny my medical treatment?
- Will I have to pay a co-pay or deductible under workers’ compensation?
- Does the insurance company have to pay for surgery if I need it?
- Can I change to a different doctor?
You need to get good medical treatment to recover from your injury. To do that, you need to know the answers to these questions. You need to understand the panel of physicians and how to change doctors. You need to know what you can do if the insurance company denies your medical treatment.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys have written articles that provide information about all different aspects of workers’ compensation medical treatment. Many people find it helpful to review these articles to get more information.
Just let us know if you have any specific questions or need more information. You can call us at (770) 214-8885 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
What Is a Nurse Case Manager?
Georgia workers compensation is confusing. You suffer an injury at work and you suddenly find yourself thrown into this system that you never wanted to be a part of. You talk with people from your employer and the workers compensation insurance company. These people often give you information about what you need to do. You […]
Can Workers Compensation Deny My Medical Treatment?
I talk to many people who have suffered injuries at work. Most people who call me have had difficulty getting the workers compensation medical treatment they need. Often, the insurance company has denied some or all of their medical treatment. Medical treatment is one of the primary benefits provided in a workers’ compensation case. Basically, […]
Does Georgia Workers Compensation Cover Preexisting Conditions?
We hear a lot about preexisting conditions in the news. We hear debate about whether health insurance has to cover them. But, what about Georgia workers compensation insurance? Does it cover preexisting conditions? What is a preexisting condition? Basically, it is a medical condition that you already had. It could be diabetes, high blood pressure, […]
Scheduling a Workers Compensation Doctors Appointment
You would think that scheduling a workers compensation doctors appointment would be pretty easy. After all, you just call and schedule an appointment to see the doctor when you get sick. Unfortunately, the Georgia workers compensation system makes it a little harder than just using your health insurance. Before we talk about that further, I […]
The Workers Compensation Doctor List
In Georgia, you have choice over which doctor treats your workers compensation injury. To know what your choices are, you need to get the workers compensation doctor list. Georgia law requires your employer to post the workers compensation doctor list. The formal name for this document is the “panel of physicians”. Many people have questions […]
Does Workers Compensation Pay For Knee Surgery?
Your workers compensation doctor tells you that you need knee surgery. You probably have a number of questions. Does workers compensation pay for the surgery? Will the surgery cost you anything? Do you have to have the knee surgery? Can you get a second opinion? How long will it take to get the surgery approved? […]
Can Doctors Use Medical Marijuana for Pain Management?
Many states have legalized medical marijuana in recent years. Procon.org reports that over half of U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical use to some extent. Georgia has not yet legalized marijuana for medical use. However, Georgia passed a law in 2015 which allows the use of cannabis oil in certain situations. Other states also […]
Is Hip Replacement Covered By Workers Compensation?
Severe hip injuries cause excruciating pain. They affect your ability to do just about anything including standing, sitting, and working. In recent years, hip replacement has become a popular way to treat severe hip conditions. When your worker compensation doctor recommends hip replacement, that recommendation can create a number of different issues. In this article, […]
Authorized Treating Physician
Authorized treating physician is a legal term for your primary doctor in a Georgia workers compensation case. Your authorized treating physician has special privileges in your case that other doctors do not. These privileges affect the workers compensation benefits you receive. Clearly, you need doctors to get good medical treatment. Understanding the privileges and powers […]
Workers Compensation Deadlines for Medical Treatment
Medical treatment is one of the primary benefits workers compensation pays for an injury. But like the benefits, you must contend with deadlines to make sure you receive this benefit. Georgia’s workers compensation law has a number of different deadlines. You should make sure you know what these deadlines are so they do not affect […]
Do Workers Compensation Injuries Cause Herniated Discs?
Workers’ compensation back and neck injuries often cause herniated discs. Many people have difficulty getting medical treatment or other workers compensation benefits for these injuries. This article provides information about a few different workers compensation issues for herniated discs: Common reasons workers compensation insurance companies deny claims for herniated discs Common medical treatments covered by […]
What is a Medicare Set-Aside (MSA)?
A Medicare set-aside (MSA for short) is a mechanism sometimes used in settlement when Medicare might have an interest in your workers’ compensation case. Generally, funds from settlement create the Medicare-set aside account. An injured worker then uses those funds after settlement to pay for medical treatment for the work injury. I do not intend […]
Talking to the Workers Compensation Doctor
If you have suffered an injury at work, you probably want to get the medical treatment you need to recover. A good doctor will provide you with that treatment. But workers’ compensation is complicated. To make sure you get the medical treatment you need, you must talk to the workers’ compensation doctor about your injury. […]
Rotator Cuff Surgery for Shoulder Injuries
Workers’ compensation shoulder injuries often cause significant difficulties. We use our arms a lot. I did not realize how much I used my arms until I had a shoulder injury a number of years ago. Shoulder injuries make it difficult to work overhead. Many people find it difficult to sleep or wash their hair. Some […]
How Dangerous Is Workers Compensation Pain Medication?
Injuries cause pain. Each one of us has experienced this. Usually, we experience minor injuries and the pain goes away quickly. The only pain medication we take is ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Unfortunately, many workers’ compensation injuries cause pain that is more severe and lasts longer. When doctors treat these injuries, they often recommend prescription strength […]
Opioid Treatment and Addiction after a Work Injury
Doctors often prescribe opioids to treat pain after a workers’ compensation injury. Doctors prescribe opioids because they can provide very good pain relief. Many people are familiar with the names of different opioid medications. Some of the most common ones include: Oxycontin Percocet Lorcet Demerol Norco Vicodin While these medications provide pain relief, it is […]
Do I Need Back Surgery?
Many people dread a doctor mentioning the possibility of back surgery. Unfortunately, serious back injuries happen too often at work. I have represented many clients who suffer from herniated discs, injured facet joints, and fractured vertebra as a result of injuries at work. Many of these clients have had back surgery. Sometimes, that surgery has […]
My Workers’ Comp Doctor Has Nothing More To Offer Me
You have gotten some medical treatment from a workers’ comp doctor but are still in a lot of pain. The doctor tells you, “You are just going to have to learn to live with pain.” Is that right? Is there nothing you can do? Doctors cannot fix everything. But, that does not mean the workers’ […]
Can a Workers Comp Doctor Commit Medical Malpractice?
Doctors are human. Like everyone else, they make mistakes sometimes. Most people have heard about medical malpractice claims. Sometimes, workers’ compensation doctors make mistakes as well. They may diagnose an injury incorrectly. They may not use proper care when performing surgery. Sometimes, these mistakes do not cause any harm. Other times, mistakes cause serious injury […]
Don’t Make This Workers’ Compensation Mistake
Changing doctors without knowing all your rights is a common workers’ compensation mistake. Getting good medical treatment is important. The rules about changing doctors can be tricky. You have rights under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws that help you get good medical treatment. You need to understand those rights before changing doctors. Do I need to […]