What if my California Workers' Compensation Doctor isn't providing me proper medical treatment?
"When you get done to it, the most impotant thing is your health. But how are you going to get better if you can't get adequate medical treatment? We can help you get proper medical treatment so you can get your life back." California Workers' Compensation Lawyer - Bill Turley
If you are an injured worker in California, and your doctor isn't providing you with satisfactory medical care, you have a few options. It depends on whether you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) / Permanent and Stationary (P&S) status. Meaning, your doctor has declared you aren't going to get any better from your injury. This article focuses on getting a new doctor before you have been released from treatment. This article discusses California workers' compensation law only.
Get a Second Opinion
If you have not been declared MMI / P&S, you can select another doctor for a second opinion on your employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN). First, you need to go on-line and find the MPN list of doctors. If you don't find it on-line, make a request in writing for your employer's MPN list.
Of course, care must be taken to actually choose the right doctor on the MPN list. This is where a seasoned workers comp attorney really helps. An experienced California workers compensation lawyer will know - or can find out - which doctors on the MPN are more likely to be "patient advocates" and which ones are insurance company hacks.
What if my employer doesn't have an MPN?
If your employer doesn't have an MPN, then you can request a second opinion of your choosing. Again, you need to take care to choose the right doctor. In other words, you don't want to go from one insurance company doctor to another.
It is important that you make your request for a second opinion before you are declared MMI / released from treatment. Getting a second opinion after you have been declared MMI is a much tougher issue.
Don't wait until it is too late!
Thus, if you anticipate your workers' compensation primary care physician is going to release you from treatment at your next appointment; you need to immediately request a second opinion (see above).
If the workers' compensation carrier refuses to allow a second opinion, you need to immediately contact a seasoned California workers' compensation attorney. Whatever you do, do not attend the appointment with your primary care doctor if you think they are about to release you from treatment. Because once they declare you MMI, it will be much more difficult to get needed medical care. If you have cancel or postpone your appointment with your primary care doctor - do it.
Call 619-234-2833 or 866-963-0540 Or email us.
Always Tell The Truth
If you are bringing a workers compensation claim, your credibility is always at issue. Meaning, if you get caught in a lie you will lose your case. Always tell the truth. Be sure and hire an honest California Workers Compensation Lawyer.
Advocate for You Against the Insurance Company
The way the California workers' compensation system is set up is the company doctor will disagree with your doctor over needed medical treatment and disability. This is when you need a seasoned lawyer taking on the insurance company.
Bill Turley has been practicing law for over 25 years. He knows who the best doctors are in your MPN, so you can receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
Attorney Bill Turley has been a practicing lawyer for more than 25 years. He knows that there are some very good doctors within the medical provider network who have treated their patients with respect and with attention to their medical condition.