Jump To Navigation

Blog Topic

Worker's Compensation

According to US Department of Labor report entitled Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2004, there are 4.3 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported in private industry which is approximately 4.8 cases per 100 full-time workers per year. In Indiana, if you sustain a work-related accident, your employer, through their worker's compensation insurance company, directs all of your medical care. Therefore, it is extremely important that you report any accident or injury in the workplace to your employer immediately. Failure to report an injury in a timely manner may result in your worker's compensation claim being denied. Once you have reported your injury, your employer should instruct you where to go for medical treatment. If your injury prevents you from returning to work and you are off of work for more then 7 days, you are entitled to receive disability benefits at the rate of 2/3 of your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). Your employer must provide medical treatment until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). At that time you will be released from doctor's care and your disability benefits will terminate. If your injury has any lasting effects, the treating physician may assign permanent work restrictions and a Permanent Partial Impairment (PPI) rating. This impairment rating directly affects the amount of money that you will receive for settlement of your worker's compensation claim. For more information including how to obtain more medical treatment or challenge the work comp doctor's impairment rating, call or email the attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen.

Medical Treatment While Receiving Worker's Compensation Benefits
Posted by: Judy Pippin
August 27, 2008

Under Indiana law, your employer's worker's compensation insurance company controls your medical treatment while you are receiving your worker's compensation benefits. Many injured workers would like to choose their own doctors to provide them with treatment. If you do so, more often than not you will be responsible for paying that physician. Also, there are instances where a worker's compensation insurance company may find that you are non-compliant with your worker's compensation medical treatment if you seek outside medical care. This usually happens in instances where more than one doctor is providing medication or there is conflicting treatment. Occasionally, the worker's compensation company may authorize treatment from the doctor of your choice. However, in general the worker's compensation carrier will pick your physician and course of medical treatment. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen.

Permalink


Subscribe


What is RSS?