Employers are required by state and federal law to have workers' compensation insurance. Employers pay for this form of insurance to cover losses suffered by their employees in the event of an injury related to their job. Normally, it offers compensation for medical costs, missed pay, and potential future earnings.
Employees give up their right to sue their employers for any injuries sustained on the job in exchange for workers' compensation. Also, while it pays for medical costs, employees cannot seek pain and suffering compensation.
Workers' comp is something we all know the basics about, but many employees still don't understand how it works. For instance, a common question we hear is whether a claimant for workers' compensation can select their own physician. We will answer this question below.
However, before we delve further into this topic, we suggest you contact an NJ workers' comp lawyer if you've been injured at the workplace. The team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has helped countless workers get the benefits they require.
Who Picks The Doctor in a Workers' Comp Case?
This question arises because not everyone feels at ease getting medical care from a doctor they do not know or trust. The physician you were advised to see can decline to suggest the best medical testing or act unconcerned about your situation. You might decide to switch doctors as a result of this. The rules in each state are different, therefore who chooses the doctor in your New Jersey workers' compensation case will depend on the state you work in.
Rules for New Jersey
According to New Jersey state law, an injured worker must see a doctor chosen by their employer or insurer for ongoing care, although they do have the right to seek emergency or urgent care from any medical provider. The company doctor could be a local physician, a medical professional employed by a nearby clinic, or a medical professional operating an on-site corporate clinic.
It's understandable that someone would rather see a family doctor rather than a total stranger. A family doctor will have a good relationship with the patient and a set of their medical information. A physician recruited by an insurance company might not be as familiar with the patient's past as would a family physician or general practitioner.
What Happens to My Workers' Comp Claim If I Refuse to See A Company Doctor?
Employees may feel they shouldn't be required to use a doctor chosen by the business or workers' compensation insurer. Instead, they scheduled appointments with their personal doctor. Regrettably, workers' comp will not cover the cost of the medical care and the injured party will be left to pay out of pocket. And unfortunately, they might not be qualified for Workers' Compensation if they need to take time out of work to recover.
What Should I Do After a New Jersey Workplace Injury?
As soon as you have an injury at work, you must act quickly. You must inform your employer about the situation as soon as possible. This keeps them informed and allows them to keep a record. They are then required to notify their insurance provider about the matter.
Remember that there are deadlines for reporting injuries, so you should take action as soon as you can. Ideally, your employer and their insurance provider act morally and begin the process of paying you the benefits you are legally entitled to. But, they might not, therefore you should hire a skilled workers' compensation attorney in New Jersey to help you get your benefits.
Brandon J. Broderick Can Assist You With Your Workers' Comp Case
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is committed to helping clients with their workers' compensation issues all around New Jersey, as well as New York and Connecticut. We have the depth of resources and years of experience necessary to ensure a favorable case outcome. You are not guaranteed reasonable pay just because you filed a workers' compensation claim. With the help of a lawyer, you give yourself the best chance for justice.
For a free consultation, get in touch with us today.