If you are struggling to pay for medical care following a work-related accident, hiring the right attorney can help. You deserve to get medical treatment quickly, no matter who was at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, this process can be difficult to manage for anyone with limited experience filing a workers’ compensation claim.
An Athens workers’ compensation medical treatment attorney can review your legal options. In addition to securing medical care, our team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers could help you recoup lost wages and obtain other damages as well. Let an Athens workers’ compensation lawyer assist you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
We Can Explain How Workers’ Compensation Medical Treatment Works
When you suffer an injury or illness because of your job, workers’ compensation benefits should pay for any necessary medical treatment. These benefits will not cover the cost of treating a pre-existing condition, unless an accident at work worsened that condition.
The workers’ compensation system pays medical providers directly instead of requiring you to cover the cost and seek reimbursement. This is helpful, particularly for injured workers facing financial strain due to their inability to work.
In addition to the direct cost of medical care, workers’ compensation benefits can provide for your other needs. For example, they can cover the cost of traveling to and from any necessary treatments and cover a portion of your lost wages. The goal is to enable you to get the care you need without facing a financial burden. Our Athens personal injury lawyers can help.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation medical treatment lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
What Medical Expenses Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Our Athens workers’ compensation medical treatment attorneys can help you obtain the medical treatment you need following a work-related injury or illness. The kind of treatment you could receive varies based on the nature and severity of your condition. As long as it is medically necessary, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider should cover the cost of treatment.
Any medical bills you receive should be covered, including those resulting from:
Diagnostic Tests
A cornerstone of medical care is correctly diagnosing the problem. Your workers’ comp benefits can pay for diagnostic tests. This testing can be helpful to identify or rule out certain conditions.
Emergency Room Visits
While you must choose a doctor from an approved list of physicians for your follow-up care, your emergency medical care immediately following a work accident should be covered, no matter where you received treatment. This includes the cost of ambulance transportation to reach the hospital.
Surgical Procedures
Many serious work injuries require surgery. In some cases, you may need to endure a series of surgeries over months or years. As long as these procedures are necessary to treat your injury, your workers’ comp claim should cover the costs.
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What Is the Panel of Physicians in an Athens Workers’ Compensation Case?
After a workplace injury, there are limits on who can provide a worker with medical care. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, anyone seeking medical benefits must pursue treatment with a doctor listed on their employer’s “panel of physicians.”
The panel of physicians is a list of local doctors. Your employer should post the list in a prominent place at the job site or office. In some cases, they can provide the list digitally. The list generally must contain at least six physicians, at least one of which must be an orthopedic specialist.
A worker must choose their doctor from the options on the list, with some limited exceptions. If one of the doctors listed refuses to see a patient, the employer must add a different physician to the list for that specific case. If the employer fails to provide a list, the worker can choose their physician.
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What If the Insurance Provider Denies My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Even though workers’ comp is a “no-fault” system, some insurance companies will look for any excuse to reject your claim and refuse to cover your medical care. If this happens, you can appeal your workers’ compensation denial with help from an Athens workers’ comp attorney from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers.
When you file an appeal, an administrative law judge (ALJ) will hear your case. During a hearing, the ALJ will listen to evidence provided by your Athens workers’ comp lawyer. They will also hear from legal counsel representing the insurance company or your employer.
To formally begin this process, you must submit Form WC-14: Notice of Hearing. The process can move forward quickly, with a hearing usually set within 60 days of the submission of the notice. Your personal injury lawyer can help you with the entire process. Contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today to learn more.
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What Other Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Comp Insurance?
If your workers’ comp claim is successful, you may be entitled to other benefits outside of your medical treatment. The most common example involves recovering monetary payments based on your inability to work. While you recover, you could be entitled to payments of two-thirds of your average weekly wages.
Some people can never return to their jobs due to workplace injuries. When they can physically perform other types of work, benefits may be available to cover the cost of retraining. Vocational rehabilitation can provide a person with the skills needed to obtain a different kind of employment that fits with their physical limitations.
Learn How an Athens Workers’ Comp Medical Treatment Lawyer Can Help You
If you were hurt on the job, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover your medical bills. While insurance companies don’t always accept claims, working with a personal injury attorney could give you the best chance at success.
Our personal injury law firm is ready to help you get the most out of your claim. This includes not only your medical care but other compensation as well. Contact Bader Scott Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn more about working with an Athens workers’ compensation medical treatment lawyer.
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