Iowa Injured Workers Can Seek a Second Opinion for Treatment of Injuries
The first and sometimes most simple solution is to return to the physician to discuss your ongoing symptoms. In many situations, the doctor can reevaluate your situation and offer further treatment. If that option fails, injured workers do have further recourse. The Iowa Workers’ Compensation Act states that employers or their insurance companies have the right to choose the medical care providers for injured workers. However, if the worker does not feel the doctor offers effective and appropriate treatment, it is possible to obtain a second opinion. To do so, it is necessary to file a special application, and an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can be valuable in successfully navigating this process.If the Injury Persists, Employees Should Continue to Seek Medical Care
Regardless of where an employee is in the process, it is important to continue to seek medical care if pain or other symptoms persist. Failure to obtain treatment is one of the biggest factors in unsuccessful workers’ compensation cases. If an employee does not pursue care, it can be taken as a sign that an injury does not exist or is not severe enough to warrant a claim. Injured workers and their doctors should determine together when an employee is ready to return to work. Pressures from employer and insurance companies cannot and should not force a worker back to the job before he is fully ready. It is important to use all available options to receive appropriate care and treatment before giving up or resolving your claim. If you or someone you love has suffered a work injury, you do not have to return to work before you are physically and emotionally ready. Call the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Pothitakis Law to learn more about your rights and options and find out how we may be able to help.
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