do i need my doctor to confirm an injury is work related

Prior to making any claim to the insurance program, the injured worker or his or her representative must inform the company or employer that an injury has actually occurred. While doing this, it is important to provide medical information to the employer so that everyone knows what the injuries were and what is expected for recovery. To gain workers compensation, the injured worked does not, generally speaking, have to send a written claim form to the insurer in order to receive workers compensation. Instead of a written claim, once the insurer is informed of the injury by the employer, the worker, or a third party representative, the insurance company will offer provisional liability payments. These payments start within seven days, in most cases. During this time, the insurer will investigate the facts of the injury and the extent of the injury and make a decision either to continue the payments or to stop further payments. After being informed of the injury, the insurance company, before provisional liability payments begin or a claim is even accepted, the insurer will need certain facts. The company will investigate the matter by questioning both the employer and the worker. In addition, information from the treating doctor will be sought. Within seven days of being informed verbally, electronically, by form, or by any other method that an injury has occurred, the insurer must start provisional liability payments to the injured worker. In some rare cases, there may be a valid, reasonable excuse not to start payments within this period. The insurer must also decide how long it is going to make provisional liability payments. These payments can carry on for a maximum of twelve weeks.

Each day across the nation, people get up and head to work, ready to perform the duties required of them by their jobs. While some people head to labor-intensive jobs like carpentry, construction, and warehouse work, others may head to restaurants, office buildings, and other vocations. While most people assume that people with jobs that require lots of manual labor are the most likely to suffer injury at work, the truth is that workers in any vocation may be hurt on the job. One of the most common injuries reported by workers is overexertion while on the job. Overexertion often includes injuries caused by repetitive motions, lifting heavy items in the workplace, or stress and strain put on muscles and joints due to the required job duties. If a worker is injured by movements at work, he or she may be eligible for compensation under his or her company's worker's compensation insurance. Worker's compensation coverage exists to protect employees from harm while working.

Companies carry such coverage to provide financial assistance to workers who are injured while performing their duties or in work-related accidents. Such protection usually helps an employer avoid costly lawsuits and will help provide support for employees in the event of an accident. If a worker suffers injury due to overexertion, he or she may find it difficult to work. It may be hard to move sore or injured limbs and muscles may be too sore or painful to operate for a time. Injuries caused by overexertion may require simple bed rest and recovery, or they may be more serious if damage was done to muscles, nerves, or tendons. Worker's compensation coverage may provide financial assistance for doctor's visits and required medical treatments. Employees may be required to submit medical records documenting the visits, or they may be asked to consult company recommended doctors in order to make sure their claims are valid. If your claim is wrongly denied by your employer, you may be able to pursue legal action to gain the compensation you require. You may be able to argue your case and get your employer to take a closer look at your worker's compensation claim. If you or someone you love has suffered injury at work due to overexertion, you may be eligible for compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other expenses. For more information on worker's compensation and your legal options, visit the website of the Philadelphia worker's compensation attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C.

This article is made available for educational purposes only, to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. This should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney. Who can I choose as my doctor under the Defense Base Act? This is a question I am not asked frequently enough. The answer is simple - you can choose any qualified physician under the sun to treat your injuries. That is a flexibility not offered under most state workers' compensation systems. For instance, in the State of Georgia, where our office is located, you would only have a choice from a list of doctors your employer posts at your work place. Under the Defense Base Act, depending on the type of injury you suffered, if the doctor you choose is a licensed surgeon, podiatrist, dentist, clinical psychologist, optometrist, osteopath, or chiropractor, then you have made a valid initial choice of physician.

If your first choice of physician refers you to some other specialist, for instance a family doctor who refers you to a orthopedic specialist for a back problem, the insurance company must honor that referral. Also, if your doctor retires, you can choose a new one. However, outside of those situations, you are pretty much stuck with your first choice. Once a claimant has made his initial, "free choice" of a physicians, he may change physicians only upon obtaining prior written approval of the employer, insurer, or the Department of Labor. It is likely that if you do not like your doctor or what he is telling you, the insurance company probably loves him. One situation we have run into recently, is where the insurance company actually recommends a doctor to the injured employee. Sometimes this is done by the insurance company's "Nurse Case Manager." A Nurse Case Manager often just ends up being a spy for the insurance company. He or she will be assigned to your case and theoretically their job is to facilitate your medical treatment.