If you have been injured on the job, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, you must follow proper procedure and file the claim as state law specifies. In most states, your employer and/or their workers’ compensation insurer can choose your medical providers. The insurer or your employer is contracted with specific medical providers to provide in-network discounted services to injured or ill employees. You will be required to choose a provider from that list for your medical benefits to be effective. Otherwise, you might be left footing the bill for your medical expenses. There are different kinds of care that can be effective in treating a workplace injury. In some cases, chiropractic care might be desired or recommended for addressing your injury. Chiropractic Care For Workers’ Compensation Usually, the list includes general practitioners, orthopedic specialists, and possibly a general surgeon. Any treating physician can refer you for physical therapy, but often, chiropractic care is not approved by workers’ compensation insurers. Chiropractic providers are different than medical doctors because they cannot provide surgical intervention and do not prescribe medications. Because of how chiropractic care works, it is difficult for a chiropractor to limit the treatment sessions to the specific treatment or area that was involved in the workplace accident. As an example, the individual might have suffered an injury to the knee, but chiropractic care uses a whole-body approach and will involve alignment of the spine. There are some states that have passed legislation to limit the number of chiropractic care visits allowed through workers’ compensation to avoid abuse of the system. For example, in California, there is a limit to the number of chiropractic visits paid for by workers’ compensation. When the number of chiropractic visits are limited to a set number, such as 24, and then the employee is fully recovered on the last visit, it seems to reinforce the negative opinion that chiropractic care is not truly beneficial to workers’ compensation claims and injured workers because it looks as though the chiropractor maximized visits to be compensated by workers’ compensation. Consulting With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer If you have suffered an injury on the job, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. Your lawyer will work to ensure that you have access to the benefits that you are entitled to receive and need during such a challenging time. Your attorney might be able to negotiate your chiropractic care as well, depending on state laws. To ensure your claim is on the right track, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your details reviewed by an attorney in your area. Workers’ compensation claims can be challenging, and often, legitimate claims are denied. When a claim is denied, you will need an attorney to help you with the appeals process. A strict statute of limitations applies when filing a workers' compensation claim, so do not wait for it to be late to pursue your claim. Get your workers’ compensation claim on track today! Additional Resources Can My Workers’ Comp Settlement Pay My Medical Bills? What Damages Can I Receive For My Claim?
