Please Call One of Our board-certified Workers' compensation Specialists For a Free Consultation (833) 444-4127

Cardinal Law Partners.

Please Call One of Our board-certified Workers' compensation Specialists For a Free Consultation (833) 444-4127

A doctor compassionately holds hands with a patient, symbolizing support and care after a workplace injury in North Carolina. - Cardinal Law Partners.In this article, you can learn about:

  • Common types of injuries and doctors seen in workers’ compensation cases.
  • How the doctor you choose can affect your workers’ compensation claim.
  • Steps to take if you disagree with your medical diagnosis.

What Types Of Physicians Are Typically Involved In Workplace Injury Cases?

Almost all cases eventually end up at some kind of orthopedic physician or practice. If your injury happened in Raleigh, there are orthopedic practices in the triangle. If you’re in the triad, there are orthopedists in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, or the High Point area. There are large practices all over the state of North Carolina, so no matter where you are, there are always orthopedic doctors nearby who see a lot of workers’ compensation injuries.

What Are Some Of The Most Common Injuries You See In Workplace Injury Claims?

The most common injuries are knee, shoulder and back injuries. This includes rotator cuff tears, knee ligament tears, and back strains or sprains. The following injuries are also common:

  • repetitive use injuries
  • concussions
  • ankle injuries
  • hip injuries

Back injuries are common because many jobs involve lifting and moving heavy things. This can sometimes result in herniated discs or actual spinal dysfunction. For example, truck drivers are prone to back injuries because they sit for long periods of time before having to get up and move things in and out of their trucks.

It’s also common for someone who is getting up and down a lot at work to twist a knee. This can result in a torn meniscus or ACL that requires some kind of arthroscopic surgery for repair. Rotator cuff tears can also require arthroscopic surgery to repair the ligaments in the shoulder.

Can The Physician I Choose Influence My Injury Claim In North Carolina?

Workers’ compensation insurance companies want injured workers to go to doctors who know how the claims process works. Doctors who frequently treat work-related injuries know that workers’ compensation insurance carriers are more likely to approve payment for conservative treatment options. For example, treatments that allow you to continue working on light duty.


As a result, these doctors treat patients with workers’ compensation claims with a higher level of scrutiny. They will opt for taking the treatment process slowly rather than aggressively treating your injury. If you came to the same doctor with the same complaints using private insurance, things might move a little bit faster.

If you suffered a rotator cuff tear, for instance, they’re going to want to put you through six weeks of physical therapy before giving you an MRI. Instead of getting you a definite picture of the extent of your injury right away, they will make you wait. Their hope is that they will get frustrated and go away.

Are There Any Legal Remedies If A Client Disagrees With A Diagnosis Or Treatment Plan Suggested By A Company-Appointed Physician?

You are never required to submit your body to a particular treatment just because a doctor recommends it. If your doctor recommends something that you disagree with or are uncomfortable with, you can always choose to go a different route. You’re always allowed to go see a different doctor on your own.

A more difficult question is whether workers’ compensation will pay for you to seek alternative treatment. If you opt to choose your own doctor or treatment, you may be stuck paying for it out of your own pocket.

Insurance companies do not care if you are uncomfortable with the doctor they send you to. In fact, they benefit from putting you in a tough spot legally. If you choose to seek your own treatment at your own expense, it saves the insurance company money.

The law allows you to ask for a second opinion from another doctor. The problem with that is you still must work with the insurance carrier to decide who’s going to perform that second opinion. Of course, they’re always going to argue with whoever you recommend as an injured worker.

Even if you get a second opinion, there’s no guarantee that the insurance company will agree to transfer your treatment to that second doctor. There’s also no guarantee that the Industrial Commission is going to order them to do that. The Industrial Commission strongly protects the insurance company’s right to direct treatment under the workers’ compensation act.

How Can An Attorney Help A Client Who Disagrees With The Care They Are Receiving From A Company Physician?

While the law currently gives insurance companies the right to direct treatment, the Industrial Commission always has the final say. If you have a good reason for wanting to transfer your treatment to another doctor, an attorney can help by requesting a hearing in front of the Industrial Commission.

Our workers’ compensation lawyers routinely represent injured workers who are in disputes with insurance companies. Should your case go into litigation, we can help build a case in your favor by deposing doctors and collecting other evidence. We can then make legal arguments to convince the Industrial Commission that your doctor needs to be switched.

For more information on Choosing The Right Physician After A Workplace Injury, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (833)444-4127 today.

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