One of the primary benefits of workers’ compensation is the right to free medical care for your injuries. That right does come with a number of restrictions, however, that many injured workers don’t anticipate: Namely, the fact that you have very little choice when it comes to who provides that care.
Here in New Jersey, you face more restrictions on choice or care providers than you would in many other states.
New Jersey law restricts your options for treatment
Under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system, your employer or their insurance provider has the right to select your doctor (with the only exception being when you need acute care at a hospital or clinic).
Sometimes, everything works out fine. After all, most doctors genuinely want to help their patients. Other times, however, injured workers may not get the quality of care that they deserve.
A doctor who is more mindful of your employer’s desire to limit their expenses or the insurer’s desire to get you back to work may be inclined to minimize your condition and release you to duty before you’re ready. They may also declare you “better” and put you back to work even though you’re still struggling with significant pain and limitations.
Fighting for your right to fair treatment may take help
However, you are not entirely helpless in this situation. You can have an evaluation by an independent doctor and contest the decisions being made with your medical care and workers’ comp benefits.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can advocate for you when you aren’t getting the workers’ comp benefits you need and deserve. They can also protect you against “dirty tricks” that employers and insurers sometimes use to unfairly deny claims. If you’d like to learn more, please continue reviewing our website for additional information or make an appointment to discuss the specifics of your case.