Georgia Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

If you're receiving temporary total disability benefits for your Georgia workers' compensation claim, you need to attend the medical appointments scheduled with the doctor from the panel of physicians, or the agreed-upon authorized treating doctor. Otherwise, the workers' comp insurance company may request that your disability benefits be suspended for failure to cooperate with medical treatment.

More than likely, they will file a motion to compel your attendance at the doctor appointments first, and then they will pursue suspension of TTD benefits. If getting to the doctor is a concern, you can request transportation to and from the treating doctor's office (or mileage reimbursement if you drive yourself). Please call Moebes Law, Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys, for more information on medical benefits and Georgia workers' compensation issues.

Injured workers in Georgia should be directed to a panel of physicians immediately after reporting a workplace injury, in accordance with the Georgia Workers' Compensation Act.  In most instances, the panel must contain six doctors or medical facilities from which an injured employee can choose a treating doctor. 

Often the piece of paper containing these six medical providers is pink, making it easy to distinguish from other notices that may be on display.  The panel is frequently found near a timeclock, in a breakroom, or in an otherwise centrally-located room or office. 

The functions of the panel of physicians should be explained to all employees shortly after they are hired, so that in the event of an accident at work, the injured worker will know where to go for medical care.

Please feel free to contact me, an Atlanta workers' comp attorney, with any questions you may have about medical treatment after an injury at work.