5 Things You Should Avoid Saying to Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor in Florida
A workers’ compensation doctor assigned to your case has a major impact on the outcome of the workers’ comp claims process.
Your doctor will not only prescribe medication and determine the most appropriate treatment to help you recover, but will also evaluate your work-related injury or illness to figure out how much workers compensation benefits you will receive.
Things Not to Say to Your Workers’ Comp Doctor
Since your doctor’s opinion plays such a pivotal role in receiving workers’ comp benefits, it is critical to provide your doctor with accurate information. What you say to your workers’ comp doctor will affect the outcome of your claim. There are also certain things you should avoid saying to your doctor.
The following are the things you should avoid saying to your workers’ compensation doctor:
- Lying about your previous or pre-existing injuries or illnesses.
- Exaggerating or downplaying your symptoms.
- Lying about the extent of your work-related injury or illness.
- Lying about how the workplace accident happened or how you developed your medical condition.
- Saying negative things about your employer (often, workers’ comp doctors are assigned by the injured worker’s employer).
It is never advised to lie to your employer, workers’ comp doctor, or insurance company, regardless of whether you are making false statements about your injury, the extent of pain, pre-existing medical conditions, workplace accident, or any other thing.
Eventually, the truth will come out, and your workers’ compensation doctor may not trust you when they find out that you have lied to them. Keep in mind that your goal should be to return to work, and your doctor is there to help you reach that goal as soon as possible.
What to Tell Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor
If you lie to your workers’ compensation doctor or make any untruthful claims, your case could be delayed. In the worst-case scenario, your workers’ comp claim may even be denied.
If your credibility is questioned during the workers’ comp claims process because you have lied to your doctor, a workers’ compensation judge is unlikely to approve your claim if any dispute arises.
Instead of lying or exaggerating your symptoms, you should be 100% honest when talking to your workers’ comp doctor. Tell them everything about your symptoms, condition, how you feel, whether you experience any pain, how your injury impacts your day-to-day activities, and many more.
Do not be afraid to tell all the details in order to help your workers’ compensation doctor understand the extent of your work-related injury or illness and how your impairment affects your ability to work and perform basic activities.
If you are not sure what to tell your doctor, it is advised to speak with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney in Florida. A skilled attorney will help you deal with your employer’s insurance company, gather evidence, and build a strong case to receive the compensation you deserve.
It is not uncommon for insurers to persuade workers’ comp doctors to release injured employees back to work before they have fully recovered. Contact our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers at Kobal Law to discuss your particular case. Call at 813-873-2440 for a case review.
https://www.tampaworkcomplaw.com/what-should-you-expect-at-your-workers-compensation-mediation/
