There is a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to receiving medical care after a work injury. Sometimes your work will tell you something that’s not exactly false, but it leaves out part of the truth, while other times they will flat out give you the wrong information about your medical options. We hope to clear some of that up. Today, we explain how to find the best doctor after a work injury in Minnesota.
Can I Choose My Own Doctor?
If you are injured at work, you have the right to visit a doctor in order to have your injury examined, and you can have those medical expenses paid for if your claim is granted. In fact, many employers actually recommend that you visit a doctor after a work injury to cover their bases when it comes to injury procedures and OSHA. However, we often find that when an employer is recommending that a worker has their injury examined by a professional, they also oftentimes try to guide them to a specific specialist. They’ll say things like “Here’s the contact information for our company’s doctor,” or “We’ll call and set up an appointment for you.” Remember, your company and your interests are not directly aligned, so be wary about going to a doctor of their choosing.
Under Minnesota law, you have the right to visit a licensed medical provider of your choice. If your employer tells you that you have to visit a specific doctor, they are either directly lying to you, or they are gravely misinformed about the law and the protections offered to injured workers. Set up an appointment with a doctor of your choosing, and document the date and save all related materials so that you can be reimbursed for your consultation.
How To Choose The Right Work Injury Doctor
So now that you know that you can visit any doctor of your choice after a work injury, it leads to the question “how do I know which doctor to choose?” You may be inclined to visit your primary care doctor because you are familiar with them, but that doctor may not be well versed in providing you with all the necessary documents to expedite your workers’ compensation claim. Others may flat out refuse to take time to write injury reports or other documentation that would assist in your case. So how do you go about choosing a doctor?
The best thing you can do when looking for a work injury doctor is to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer. We work directly with a number of different doctors so we know which ones are great at filling out the paperwork and taking the time to really examine the injury and file a fair diagnosis. Not only will this help speed up the process, but it will ensure your company is not trying to game the system by sending you to a doctor who is going to underreport the significance of your injury.
So if you are wondering where to turn after a work injury, call Margolis Law Office. We can answer any of your questions and we’ll be glad to point you in the right direction if you’re looking for medical advice. Contact us here.
