Legal Question in Personal Injury in Arizona

I had to see a workmans comp appointed doctor recently and he of course gave a % of permanant damage number way lower than I think it should be.I cannot do the things at work that I used to,and my surgeon put me on permanent restriction at my job.I know deep in my heart that my knee is more damaged than said doctor has disclosed .What are my legal options?


Asked on 2/22/10, 10:18 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Thomas Stillwell Stillwell Law Office, PLLC

This is actually in the wrong category...it should be Workers' Compensation...but I happen to be a certified specialist in that field!

Your own perception of your impairment is not particularly important, but when carriers send you to doctors, they usually choose doctors who are conservative, and give the lowest-possible impairment ratings. That is one possible explanation. Another is that many carrier docs are using the latest edition of the AMA Guides, which I (and many others) believe are unconstitutionally depriving people of compensation because of ridiculously lower ratings for certain injuries.

There is no way that I or anyone else can answer your question here. I need to see your entire medical file. I will gladly give you an opinion.

PLEASE NOTE that if the carrier already issued notices closing your claim and declaring your permanent impairment, you only have NINETY DAYS to file a protest. Even if you don't yet have a lawyer, you can file your protest.

Please get me your records. My address and fax number are available on this website, or at azbar.org.

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Answered on 2/28/10, 7:18 pm


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