What Should You Tell Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor About Your Work Injury?
The relationship between you and your workers’ compensation doctor is extremely important. It is crucial to remember that there are key things you must tell the physician. This article discusses what you should tell your worker’s compensation doctor about your work injury.
What Do You Need To Tell Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor?
After suffering a work-related injury, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is crucial. Even if you do not believe you suffered severe injuries, you should not wait to see a doctor. Waiting to see a doctor after a work injury can put your health at risk. Additionally, it can give your employer’s insurance company a reason to argue that you suffered your injury in a different incident. According to Vermont’s workers’ compensation laws, after a work accident, your employer can tell you which doctor to see for your first visit, but you can choose which doctor you want to see after your first visit.
Regardless of whether it is a doctor chosen by your employer or a doctor of your choosing, the following are some of the things you need to ensure you share with your doctor about your work injury;
#1: How Your Injury Is Related to Your Work
One of the most vital things you need to tell your workers’ compensation doctor is how your injury is related to your work. Remember, it is not enough that you were on the clock or at your workplace when the accident caused your injury. According to Vermont law, for an injury to be covered under workers’ compensation, it must have arisen out of and in the course of employment. This means that you were fulfilling employee duties at the time of your accident. You need to tell your doctor what you were doing at the time of the accident and how the accident happened while you were doing your job. You need your doctor to record this information in your medical records.
#2: Your Medical History
Your doctor will ask about your medical history. For example, they may ask if you have a medical condition that existed before your accident. You need to be honest when asked this question. Lying about your medical history can not only impact your health, but it can also hurt your workers’ compensation claim. You may be worried that admitting you have a pre-existing condition will automatically prevent you from recovering benefits, but this is not true. Aggravations or worsening of pre-existing conditions are covered under workers’ compensation.
#3: Difficulties You Are Experiencing at Work
Finally, it is crucial that you inform your workers’ compensation doctor about any difficulties you are experiencing at work. If your injury is affecting your ability to work, let your doctor know. Your doctor can give you work restrictions or a light-duty release. Also, by having your doctor record the difficulties you are experiencing, you will have written records to help you prove your injury affects your ability to work. It is not enough to tell the insurance company that your injury affects your ability to work.
Contact a Vermont Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you’ve suffered a work injury and need help with your workers’ compensation claim, contact a qualified Vermont workers’ compensation attorney at Sluka Law PLC.
Source:
labor.vermont.gov/workers%E2%80%99-compensation/injured-workers/claims-filing#:~:text=Your%20employer%20may%20direct%20you%20to%20a%20company%20doctor%20for%20your%20first%20medical%20visit.%20After%20that%20visit%20you%20may%20pick%20your%20own%20doctor%20by%20filing%20a%20Form%208%20Change%20of%20Health%20Care%20Provider.%20You%20can%20obtain%20a%20Form%208%20from%20the%20insurance%20carrier%20or%20from%20this%20Department
