How To Choose the Right Doctor After a Work Injury in Vermont
If you have suffered a work injury, you will need to see a doctor and perhaps a specialist, depending on the type and severity of your injury. Choosing the right doctor is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make after a work-related injury. In Vermont, where injured workers have the right to choose their treating physician, selecting the right doctor is critical to ensuring you get proper treatment and maximize your chances of recovering the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Below is a guide to help you choose the right doctor after a work injury in Vermont.
Your Rights Under Vermont Workers’ Compensation Laws
The first step in choosing the right doctor after a work injury in Vermont is understanding your rights under workers’ compensation laws. Workers can choose their treating physicians after a work injury in some states. In others, injured employees must see a doctor their employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company selects. Under Vermont workers’ compensation law, your employer can tell you which doctor to see for your first medical visit. However, after the initial visit, you can choose your own doctor. You need to file Form 8 (Notice of Intent to Change Health Care Provider) to change doctors. This freedom is significant since your treating physician is not only responsible for assessing and treating your injuries but also offering opinions that may influence the outcome of your workers’ compensation claim.
Choosing the Right Doctor
The first thing to look at is the doctor’s credentials and experience. Ensure the physician you choose is fully licensed and has experience treating patients with injuries like yours. Consider the doctor’s success rate in treating injuries similar to yours. Look for someone with a good reputation and positive reviews from former patients. Online testimonials and reviews can help you learn a lot about a doctor’s reputation. You can ask friends, family members, or co-workers who have gone through the same experience for referrals. Referrals from people you trust can lead you to a dependable doctor.
Second, when choosing a doctor for a work-related injury, selecting someone with experience treating work-related injuries is vital. Doctors who regularly treat work injuries are more likely to understand the specific requirements and documentation needed for workers’ compensation claims. They will know how to keep proper documentation in a way that supports your claim and increases your chances of recovering the benefits you deserve. Additionally, a doctor with experience treating work injuries may be more skillful at handling workers’ compensation insurance companies and can help handle challenges that may arise during the claims process.
Additionally, it is important to choose a doctor who is easily accessible. Choose a doctor who is conveniently located. When dealing with a work injury, you want to ensure that getting to and from medical appointments is as stress-free as possible. Also, ensure the doctor is available, meaning they can accommodate your schedule or have flexible appointment times. In case of an emergency, you want to ensure your doctor can see you.
Contact Us for Legal Help
To get legal help, contact an experienced Vermont workers’ compensation attorney at Sluka Law Firm today.
Source:
labor.vermont.gov/workers%E2%80%99-compensation/injured-workers/claims-filing#:~:text=3.%20Your%20employer%20may%20direct%20you%20to%20a%20company%20doctor%20for%20your%20first%20medical%20visit.%20After%20that%20visit%20you%20may%20pick%20your%20own%20doctor%20by%20filing%20a%20Form%208%20Change%20of%20Health%20Care%20Provider.%20You%20can%20obtain%20a%20Form%208%20from%20the%20insurance%20carrier%20or%20from%20this%20Department.
