Georgia Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

If you're hurt at work in Georgia, and your employer has a valid panel of physicians, you likely started your medical care with a doctor from that panel. Since these panels are chosen by workers' compensation insurance companies, however, the treating doctors' interests may not align with yours, and you may find that you do not agree with, or even like, your doctor.  Do you have options?

Certainly.  You're allowed a change in physician from the panel of doctors in Georgia.  If you've been on workers' comp disability benefits for several months, you may be able to get an independent medical evaluation (IME) at the workers' comp insurance company's expense.  Or, your Atlanta workers' compensation lawyer may set up and finance an IME for you. 

Whether the workers' compensation insurance company agrees to a change in physicians with you or not, there are options for making a change (your attorney can file a motion if need be).  Certainly, if your doctor is suggesting a treatment you're not comfortable taking, or if your doctor has released you to a job you know you can't perform, please explore some of these options for getting another opinion.  My Atlanta workers' comp lawyers are certainly willing to assist if need be.

Unlike Florida and a few other states, in Georgia, your workers' compensation indemnity benefits will not be cut off when you hit MMI (maximum medical improvement).

Your authorized treating physician (ATP) may issue an impairment rating if you have a percentage of permanent partial disability (called a PPD rating) that will be paid based on the percentage the doctor assigns, the body part(s) affected, and your workers' compensation rate, but your TTD benefits can't be stopped just because you're at MMI.

If your workers' compensation doctor has told you you are at maximum medical improvement, and the workers' comp insurance adjuster has asked you if you're interested in settling your claim, please contact an experienced Atlanta workers' comp attorney to discuss your case's exposure and what to "look for" when settling your claim.

If you are hurt at work in Georgia, workers' compensation will cover medical care related to your injury. Even if you reach maximum medical improvement, continuing therapy, pain management, and other medical care will be provided. Sometimes, an injured worker can have a change in condition for the worse and require additional medical care years after his initial accident at work. While the insurance company may try to argue that an intervening incident caused the change in condition for the worse, medical care should still be provided.

If you hurt yourself at work in the Atlanta area and have had a change in condition for the worse, please call me, the Atlanta workers' compensation attorney. We can examine your medical records and employment records together to see if you are entitled to continuing medical treatment for your injury at work, even if several years have passed.