Evidence is crucial when you apply for workers’ compensation benefits in Virginia, and one of the key sources to support your claim is your healthcare provider. Your treating physician is critical for the number one priority, which is getting you the care you need to return to your job. However, your doctor is essential for getting approval from your employer’s worker’s comp insurance company.
It is understandable that you have questions about your doctor’s role in your Virginia workers’ comp claim since it would seem that a physician’s focus is health care. A Virginia workers’ compensation attorney can explain the details, but some answers may shed some light on the subject.
Documentation carries significant weight in getting approval for your workers’ comp claim. For every visit, your physician is generating essential paperwork in the form of your medical records, such as:
Under Virginia’s statute on worker’s comp, your employer must provide you with a panel of at least three doctors from whom you can seek treatment. They must be independent physicians who are not affiliated as part of the same practice, and any violation of this rule leads the panel to be defective. In such a situation, you may be entitled to choose your own physician for treatment of your work-related injuries. However, you should note that you will be on the hook for any medical bills if you make an error in getting treatment from doctors outside the panel.
Your attorney can assist when you are reviewing relevant factors, but some criteria to consider when selecting a treating physician include:
While your doctor is your top resource for medical issues, your workers’ comp attorney is a critical ally when it comes to getting benefits. If you have additional questions regarding the claims process and Virginia’s workers’ compensation system, please call Hampton Injury Law PLC today to schedule a no-cost case evaluation. A Virginia workers’ compensation attorney can provide more information after reviewing the details of your case.
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