Some of the topics that you can discuss with a workers’ compensation doctor are:
- Your injury and illness histories
- The specific injury or illness for which you are seeking workers’ compensation
- Your level of pain
- Specific symptoms of your injury or illness
- Any treatment you have received for your injury or illness
What you discuss with a workers’ compensation doctor is a sensitive issue. These doctors have significant power over your claim. For this reason, you may want to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer on our team before your doctor’s visit.
What You Should not Discuss with a Workers’ Compensation Doctor
What not to discuss with a workers’ compensation doctor is just as important as what you should discuss. Saying the wrong thing to a workers’ compensation doctor could compromise your claim.
You should not:
- Make your injury, illness, or symptoms seem milder than they are
- Suggest that you are healed
- Exaggerate or fabricate symptoms, injuries, or illnesses
- Be deceptive about your past injury or illness history
- Withhold details about the cause of your condition
- Speak poorly of your employer
The matter is not as simple as being honest or not. Workers’ compensation assessments are complex matters. While these are general guidelines, it can help to have one of our team members review your case.
What to Expect From an Independent Medical Examination (IME)
Your appointment with a workers’ compensation doctor is called an independent medical examination (IME). This examination is not meant to treat you. Instead, the doctor’s goal is to assess the injury or illness for which you are seeking compensation.
You can expect the doctor to:
- Ask you a series of questions about your injury history
- Ask you a series of questions about your current injury or illness
- Ask any other questions that they believe are relevant to your workers’ compensation case
The doctor may also conduct a physical exam. IMEs can vary, and your experience may be different from another person with a work-related injury or illness.
Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
Florida Statutes §440.055 requires employers with a certain amount of employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If they do not have coverage, they must notify employees clearly that they are not covered through workers’ compensation.
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation provides different coverage requirements by industry. Those who are covered through workers’ compensation generally include:
- Employees who suffer an on-the-job injury
- Employees whose preexisting condition becomes worse because of work-related circumstances
- Employees who become sick because of work-related conditions
If these circumstances apply to you, then you can apply for workers’ compensation to cover your losses. Employees can receive workers’ compensation even if they are at fault for a work-related injury.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation in Florida generally covers:
- A percentage of your lost income (generally two-thirds)
- Medical costs from your work-related injury or illness
- Projected future medical costs
- A decline in your earning power
- In-home medical equipment
- Vehicular changes to accommodate your injury or illness
At this point, you might be wondering how to maximize workers comp claim. The best course of action is speaking with a specialized attorney who can evaluate your case. Once you understand all your legal options, you can make an educated choice. Your lawyer will tell you all you need to know about the claim’s statute of limitations, claim denials, claim maximization strategies, etc. We will pursue coverage for all eligible losses that you have.
How do You Prove a Work-Related Injury or Illness?
Your IME will be key to proving your injury or illness. During that doctor’s visit, you can explain what your symptoms are. The doctor’s exam may confirm that you are experiencing those symptoms. You may also need to prove that your condition is related to your work. A lawyer with our firm can help you with this process.
Our firm can:
- Seek any evidence that shows your injury happening while you were on the job
- Facilitate any test that shows an illness is work-related
- Help you arrange medical appointments
- Collect doctors’ assessments that prove your injury is work-related
- Gather any other evidence that helps your claim
These steps relate directly to proving your case. Our firm can help with your claim in other ways as well.
Three additional things to consider when considering what to discuss with a workers’ compensation doctor:
- Your injury and illness histories: You should discuss your injury and illness histories with your workers’ compensation doctor. This will help the doctor understand your medical background and determine the best course of treatment for your current injury or illness.
- The specific injury or illness for which you are seeking workers’ compensation: You should also discuss the specific injury or illness for which you are seeking workers’ compensation. This will help the doctor understand the nature of your injury or illness and determine the best course of treatment.
- Your pain level: You should discuss your pain level with your workers’ compensation doctor. This will help the doctor understand how much pain you are experiencing and determine the best treatment to manage your pain.
Other Benefits of Hiring Our Firm
Workers’ compensation claims are necessary, but they are not always easy. Our firm can help with your claim, which could make the process easier for you. In addition to gathering evidence, we can:
- Deal with insurance companies for you
- Handle all claim-related communications
- Determine exactly how much workers’ compensation you deserve
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Seek the compensation that you are entitled to receive
If you are seeking workers’ compensation, then you are injured or ill. We will fight for fair awards so that you can focus on your health.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a Free Consultation
We go the extra mile for injured workers. Whether you are injured, ill, or suffering from other circumstances, we can help with your case. We will draft, file, and complete your claim while you focus on getting better.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today to complete a free consultation.
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