Can I Choose My Own Workers’ Comp Doctor in Florida?

Unfortunately, in most cases, job injury or illness victims in Florida must see company doctors. However, they have an absolute right to a second opinion, just like all other medical patients. A second opinion, or a supplementary medical opinion, is usually a very good idea in a workers’ compensation case, to take full advantage of the medical bill payment benefit. More on that below.

Medical bill payment is just one of the benefits that a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer can obtain. However, insurance companies do not pass out these benefits like toys on Christmas morning. In fact, disputes over the proper amount of benefits are par for the course. In this contentious environment, an attorney-sponsored Independent Medical Examination (IME) is often the difference between maximum compensation and settling for less.

Alternative Treatment

Sometimes, independent doctors are treating physicians. These doctors focus on injury-related conditions, such as whiplash in a motor vehicle accident. Delivery and other drivers are especially vulnerable to this injury, which is very common in low-speed collisions that cause little property damage.

Most company doctors ignore whiplash, mostly because early symptoms include neck soreness and general disorientation. Many physicians believe that these symptoms indicate accident shock, as opposed to a serious physical injury.

But whiplash is serious. Unless promptly and properly treated, whiplash usually causes paralysis, especially in the hands and arms.

Conservative, company doctor-approved treatment plans rarely account for hidden injuries, like whiplash. Usually, company doctors prescribe the most conservative, and therefore cheapest, treatment plan.

In fact, many company doctors are under the direct influence of insurance company adjusters. An insurance actuarial table, as opposed to the patient’s needs, determine the standard of care in a work injury claim.

The Reasonably Necessary Requirement

Usually, workers’ comp pays all reasonably necessary medical bills. In some cases, this requirement is straightforward. In other cases, it could decrease, or even eliminate, the medical payment benefit.

We mentioned actuarial tables above. Usually, insurance company adjusters determine what’s “reasonably necessary” based solely on the injury diagnosis and ZIP code. A broken bone is a good example.

Frequently, a broken bone means an X-ray, a cast, three or four mild physical therapy sessions, and Bob’s your uncle. But a work injury broken bone is usually much worse. Generally, surgeons use metal parts, like pins and screws, to reconstruct broken bones. The more aggressive, and expensive, treatment means more extensive, and expensive, physical therapy.

So, a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer usually partners with an independent doctor, who reviews the records and testifies that the medical treatment was reasonably necessary. This specialist’s opinion usually carries much greater weight than the general opinion of a company doctor.

Workers’ compensation also replaces lost wages. Most victims receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage for the duration of their temporary disabilities. A few job injury victims can bypass the system, file negligence claims, and obtain additional compensation.

Work With a Savvy Hillsborough County Lawyer 

Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a confidential consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.

Source:

myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/employee/return