One common question we get a lot is “can I choose my own doctor after a work accident if I’m getting work comp?” That’s our topic for this article – the rules and regulations surrounding what doctor you should see for your work injury.
Choosing Your Doctor
Immediately after your injury, you should get the medical care you need from whatever doctor you choose. The most important thing is your health. Attend to your injuries as soon as possible after an injury at work, whether that means calling an ambulance, or driving to the emergency room. For follow up appointments, you should feel free to choose whatever doctor you like as well – though there may be restrictions based on your insurance coverage so be sure to keep that in mind. The second most important thing to remember is to document everything. Get your injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible after an injury and tell them everything about what happened so there is a record of it.
Independent Medical Exams
One thing you will likely have to undergo after your work injury is an independent medical exam (or IME for short). An IME is a simple medical examination done to assess the extent of your work injury. The catch is it has to be administered by a neutral third-party doctor. In other words, it can’t be done by your regular physician. IMEs are typically ordered by the employer (or their insurance company) to ensure that the injuries involved in the work comp claim are accurately reported and recorded. You generally can’t choose exactly who you want for your IME – but an attorney can ensure that you have a good IME from a qualified doctor.
Help for Injured Workers in Minnesota
Hey Workers is an accident injury service focused on helping Minnesotans who have been hurt on the job or on the road. Our staff is equipped to help you through your work comp claim and injury by connecting you with local doctors and lawyers in your area following a work accident. If you or your loved one has been injured at work, pick up the phone and dial 844-Hey-Workers today to get all the legal and medical help you need after your accident.
