Medical Care Requirements in Georgia
Dos & Don’t of Post-Injury Care
The Law Office of Arthur E. Snead, LLC is dedicated to helping injured workers in and around Atlanta seek the
benefits they are entitled to under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Act (GWCA). A big part of getting your claim approved is ensuring that
you comply with all requirements and responsibilities.
Below, I’ve provided some helpful information on what to know about
medical care requirements to help you protect your claim.
Contact me directly if you have any further questions or would like to set up your free consultation.
Choosing Your Treatment Provider from a Panel of Physicians
If your work-related injuries do not require an immediate trip to the emergency
room, you should look for or ask for a list of the company’s panel
of physicians. These are medical professionals who have been selected
by your employer to treat workplace injuries. If you visit one of these
doctors, there will likely be no question about whether the visit will
be covered.
Not happy with your chosen physician? You can change to another physician
on the panel at a later time. You may also be granted a one-time independent
medical examination by a physician not on the list, but this exam may
or may not be fully funded by your employer.
The panel of physicians is not always ideal, and none of the physicians
available may be who you would have chosen on your own. But until or unless
your workers’ compensation attorney advises you otherwise, you should
seek medical care that complies with what your employer has authorized.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Treated
Here are some quick tips for protecting your claim while getting medical
treatment for your injuries:
- Do visit a doctor listed on the panel of physicians
- Do attend all medical appointments and physical therapy sessions, even
if you don’t think they are helping
- Do ask for copies of all your medical records
- Do specify at each medical visit that your injury was work-related and
occurred on the job. Ask to have this reflected in your medical records
- Do take notes on everything that happened and any important things that
were said (keep these notes private)
- Do seek help from your attorney when filing a WC-14 form and other paperwork
Here are some things to avoid:
- Don’t exaggerate your injuries or the circumstances surrounding the accident
- Don’t discuss unnecessary details about your workers’ compensation
claim or frustrations you may have with your employer
- Don’t share your personal notes with anyone other than your lawyer
- Don’t give official statements to your employer or the insurance
company before you consult with your attorney
