Ask the expert: what do I do when I get sent to a doctor I don’t think is helping?

Answer: What you should definitely NOT do is to get treatment from another doctor. Treating with a different doctor without the permission of the employer or its insurance company makes it look like you are not cooperating with the workers’ compensation process and can cause your payments to stop. There is no guarantee that your employer will have to pay the doctor you chose, and even if he performs an expensive procedure, the burden may fall on your shoulders. A request to change doctors may require a motion and sometimes a hearing. Unless the employee agrees that you can go to another doctor, it’s best that you call a lawyer to help you get the medical care you need.

Have more questions? Want to talk to a workers’ compensation expert? Call CJG at 919-240-4054 or use the contact form on the right side of the page.

You can also request a free copy of Valerie Johnson’s guide for injured workers, Workers’ Comp 101: Lessons You Need to Learn Before It’s Too Late. Valerie has taught at multiple law schools and is an expert in the field. She is also the editor of a workers’ comp textbook.