Questions To Ask Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor

After suffering a work-related injury, you need to see a doctor. According to Vermont law, your employer can choose which doctor you see for your first visit, but after that, you can choose which doctor you want to see. When you see a workers’ compensation doctor, there are some questions you should ask them. Below are some of the questions you should ask your workers’ compensation doctor;

When can I return to work?

You need to know when you are allowed to return to work. Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may tell you that you are ready to return to work within a few days of rest. If you suffered a severe injury, your workers’ compensation doctor may advise you to wait some weeks or even months before returning to work. Ensure you listen to your doctor. Going back to work sooner than your doctor says can affect your health. It can also harm your workers’ compensation claim. You may be denied certain benefits if you return to work sooner than your doctor says.

Are my injuries likely to cause a long-term or permanent disability?

Some work injuries can result in long-term or permanent disability. Even what seems like a minor injury can cause a permanent disability. If your injury results in a long-term or permanent disability, you will need prolonged medical care. To obtain this care, you need your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage to compensate you for future medical expenses. Your workers’ compensation doctor’s opinion regarding the nature and severity of your injury is needed as evidence to obtain compensation for future medical expenses.

Can I perform the same job again?

Some injuries prevent employees from returning to work in the same capacity. Depending on the nature of your injury, you may not be able to return to work and perform the duties you performed before your injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need vocational rehabilitation to earn money performing another job. Your workers’ compensation doctor should tell you if you can return to your job and perform the same duties you were performing before your injury. They should inform you if you might need vocational rehabilitation.

What will be my restrictions when I return to work?

You need to know what you can and cannot do when you return to work. After asking this question, your workers’ compensation doctor may recommend that you return to work in a “light-duty” capacity. For example, your doctor may recommend that you don’t lift heavy things and have a sitting option if your job entails standing for extended periods. If you exceed your doctor’s limits, it could jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim.

Will I ever recover completely?

Some people never fully recover from their injuries. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be left with a condition that makes you vulnerable to further injury for the rest of your life. Even if your doctor cannot give you a definite answer, they should be able to share their opinion.

Contact a Vermont Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you’ve suffered a work injury in Vermont, contact our qualified Vermont workers’ compensation attorneys at Sluka Law PLC. We have represented many Vermont workers who have suffered work-related injuries and are here to help you recover the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

Source:

labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/doc_library/Work%20Injuries%20brochure_0.pdf