Re: Question about Judge's Order

First of all, do you have an attorney representing you in this case? If so, I advise you to ask him these questions. If you do not have an attorney, I suggest you hire one to represent you on your claim. These are complicated matters which the insurance carrier knows well. Division statistics show that claimants with attorneys get more compensation than those without attorneys, even taking attorney fees into account.

Assuming you don't have an attorney, I can tell you that it is not unusual for the ALJ to appoint a neutral physician. The ALJ may well just follow that opinion, depending on who your ALJ is. Only the insurance carrier can state whether all of your claims have been accepted. If you have had a prehearing settlement conference (which is usually the case if a neutral doc has been appointed) you should know the carrier's position on your injuries. I am not clear which knee was injured, since you refer to treatment for the right knee, but a replacement of the left knee. You also refer to replacement of the left knee after having problems with the right knee. If an injury to one knee causes problems with the other knee because you have favored the good knee, the injury to the "other knee" is compensable.

A neutral doctor does not have to do surgery and many of them don't. There may be grounds to object to the neutral doctor if you think he is just not qualified, but it is difficult to get a change of neutral doctor.

Good luck.