Legal Question in Workers Comp in Florida

do I have to use their doctors, even though I have already gotten treatment

I was injured on the job, and went directly to the dr I filed it on personal insurance at that time,the Dr. put me on bedrest for 48 hours will a cortisone shot in my hip (the injured area)and meds,and told me if it still hurts to come back to do CTSCan. I took note to my supervisor and she called our corportate who wants me to drive (against my drs orders)40 miles back to office and get paper work for them and fill out (they wont fax them to me)and go sit at a Hospital all day and wait for treatment from ''their doctors'' why do I have to do this when I have already been treated. I asked them if I could drugscreen close to my house so that I didnt have to drive, and they have dully declined! I am being ridiculed by my DM because I had on closedtoe sandals on a construction site, which is my normally daily wear, they are overlooking that regardless I was injured and I am not going to sit by and have them mistreat me because our companies big motto is ''safety is priority one'' accidents, are accidents ...right?


Asked on 2/24/06, 8:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Shigo The Shigo Law Firm, P.A.

Re: do I have to use their doctors, even though I have already gotten treatment

Welcome to Florida workers' compensation. The laws are written to extract premiums from the employers without having to provide much care or benefits. Then to add insult to injury, your employer turns on you merely because you got hurt. This is an extremely unfair system. Yes, for the most part you must go to "their" doctors. However, there might be ways to change the doctor if you are not satisfied with the care that is being given. It depends upon the carrier and if the carrier is using managed care. It is generally not a good idea to continue to treat with a doctor that is not authorized by the carrier to treat you for the work injury.

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Answered on 2/27/06, 10:55 am


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