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Cardinal Law Partners.

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

  • Published: January 14, 2020
Understanding Your Nc Workers’ Compensation Medical Treatment Rights

Medical treatment must be provided by a Workers’ Compensation insurance company or an employer if Worker’s Compensation covers an injury received by an employee in the workplace. Usually chosen to provide medical treatment is a private medical provider. In-house medical services may be preferred by various employers, i.e., hospitals or large manufacturers.

Medical Treatments

To relieve pain, assist an employee in returning to work, or cure the injury, medical treatment must be provided. These treatments can include the following:

  • Medications
  • Prosthetics
  • Surgery
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Rehabilitation
  • Doctor visits

Health Insurance

Health insurance and Workers’ Compensation are not one and the same, but…

Conditions immediately resulting from a workplace injury are, of course, covered under Workers’ Compensation. Additionally, conditions that are a result of the initial injury may also be covered in the future. As an example, a Workers’ Compensation-covered knee injury that, down the line, results in a lower back pain condition. There are time and condition limitations to covered medical treatment, however.

After a time, and under certain conditions, future treatment may have to be covered by the employee’s own health insurance. This is one reason that it’s so important to acquire the services of a Worker’s Compensation attorney.

Doctor Choices

In the compensation system in North Carolina, the choice of doctor is the most strongly and frequently contested issue. Medical treatment is prescribed by the chosen physician, but they will also assign permanent or temporary work restrictions regarding the injured employee. So, choosing which doctor will be in charge of medical treatment is understandably hotly contested.

Know your rights! Rest assured, your employer knows theirs. For example, the initial physician chosen for treatment can be authorized by your employer. Down the line, they may also require you to attend an IME (independent medical examination). If you desire a change in treating physician, that change must be approved by the Industrial Commission. Again, legal representation would be useful here.

Driving To Your Physician?

If, following a work-related accident, to seek medical treatment you must drive more than 20 miles round-trip, you as the injured worker should be reimbursed for mileage. Based on the IRS-established Standard Mileage Rate, the NC Industrial Commission determines the mileage reimbursement amount. A report is given to the employer by the injured worker regarding mileage. They may also give such a report as Industrial Commission Form 25T to an insurance adjuster.

Fight For Your Rights

As suggested, your employer knows their rights (at least their lawyer is well acquainted with them). They are going to have the best legal representation affordable, and so should you. Most reputable attorneys offer free consultations. So, there’s no excuse not to at least find out about your Workers’ Compensation rights and how to fight for them.

An experienced attorney will know all of the ins and outs, ups and downs, court proceedings, medical reports required, paperwork needed, deadlines, etc. where your Workers’ Compensation case is concerned.

Don’t leave something like this to chance. You have the best opportunity for success with a certified, experienced, knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation lawyer from Cardinal Law Partners.

The knowledgeable and experienced Workers Compensation attorneys at Cardinal Law Partners have been representing cases in North Carolina for years. With our decades of legal experience, you know you’ve got someone in your corner who offers the best chance at success. If you’re filing for Workers’ Compensation, or if your claim has been denied, contact us today. Don’t wait one more day to get your free consultation and have your rights expertly represented.

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