Choosing A Doctor After A Workplace Injury

PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 13, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Pennsylvania workers' compensation system is set up to provide payment of medical expenses and lost wages related to an on-the-job injury. A worker does not need to sue his or her employer to prove that the employer is at fault or responsible for the injuries; a worker must simply report the injury to his or her employer to start off the workers' compensation process.

One question that often arises however, related to on-the-job injuries, is whether a worker is free to choose his or her own doctor for treatment. It is not hard to understand why an injured person would prefer to see the family physician after an injury - the practice of medicine is built on trust with the patient as well as knowledge of the a person's medical history. After a workplace injury, the last thing an injured employee may want to do is visit the office of a stranger and create a new medical history when his or her own doctor is already well aware of any existing medical conditions or concerns.

Conditions On The Right To Choose A Healthcare Professional

In Pennsylvania, seeking medical treatment after a workplace injury, is just is not that simple. The PA Workers' Compensation Act allows employers to create a list of health care professionals from whom injured employees can seek treatment. In order for an injured worker to secure payment under the workers' compensation system, he or she must see and be treated by a doctor chosen by the employer.

An employer must maintain a listing of approved medical professionals for injured workers. The employer's list must contain:

- At least six approved healthcare professionals
- Geographically accessible health care professionals
- At least three physicians
- The address, telephone number and specialty of each listed professional
- No more than four medical professionals who are part of a coordinated care organization

If there is no chiropractor or other professional with a necessary specialty on the employer's list, the employee is free to choose his or her own.

If a doctor from the employer-approved listing recommends invasive treatment or surgery, the injured employee may seek a second opinion from a doctor of his or her choosing. If the second opinion recommends a different course of treatment and the injured worker chooses to follow that recommendation, he or she must again seek treatment from an approved health care professional on the employer's list.

An injured employee must continue to seek treatment from an employer-designated health care professional for at least 90 days, if the injury warrants follow-up care. After 90 days, an injured employee is free to choose his or her own doctor for continued care related to the workplace injury.

Legislation was introduced in 2011 to extend the time period to 180 days but it has not yet been passed.

If you have questions about choosing your doctor after suffering a workplace injury or if your workers' compensation claim has been improperly denied, a Philadelphia workpace injury lawyer can help you understand the process and secure appropriate benefits.

Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C., known throughout the Philadelphia metro area as MyPhillyLawyer, is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and serves clients across the United States. To find out more about what the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C., can do for you if you have been injured in the workplace, please visit http://www.myphillylawyer.com or contact our personal injury attorney in Philadelphia at 866-920-0352. We offer a free consultation and a guarantee: "We won't get paid until you get paid."

Locations:
Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C.
1500 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1410
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 789-9346
Toll-free: (866) 920-0352
Directions: http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1806631_1

Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C. - Allentown
6366 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18106
Phone: (610) 400-1032
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Additional Resources:
Philly Lawyer Blog: http://www.myphillylawyerblog.com/
Birth Injury Information & Resources: http://www.birthinjuryinfo.org/