When Can I Get a Second Opinion?
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | Working With A Doctor, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
Often, a medical opinion will be needed from a doctor other than the injured worker’s treating physician. There any many reasons why this would be. However, not all second opinions are required to be covered by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. A second opinion can be needed because your treating physician wants the second opinion. …
What Are ISO Reports
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Working With A Doctor, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
We get asked all the time how the workers’ compensation insurance carrier knows about car accidents that injured workers have had in the past that they may not even remember themselves. Insurance Services Office provides information for health insurance companies called ISO Reports. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) keeps a database of all property and casualty …
Often, a Work Injury Leads to High Blood Pressure
Posted by Michele Lewane | Working With A Doctor
Many folks who experience a work injury on the job are in pain. Sadly, this can often be for long periods of time. As you may know, the workers’ compensation system is a slow process. Often, a person who is in constant pain can also suffer from high blood pressure and this can complicate the situation …
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If I Don’t Like my Workers’ Compensation Doctor, Can I Switch?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Educational Videos, Working With A Doctor
Injured Workers Law Firm Attorney Michele Lewane shares a couple of tricks on how you can change your Workers’ Compensation Doctor. Video Transcript A lot of injured workers call my office because they do not like the doctor or the medical treatment that the insurance company has provided and they want to get a new …
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The Workers’ Compensation Independent Medical Evaluation
Posted by Michele Lewane | Working With A Doctor
If you have been dealing with the Workers’ Compensation process for a period of time now you probably have come across the term Independent Medical Evaluation or IME. An IME is when the insurance carrier requests that the injured worker be evaluated by a doctor other than their treating physician. Insurance companies use the Independent Medical …
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The Doctor’s Statement of Causation
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, Working With A Doctor
In Virginia workers compensation cases, the injured worker bears the burden of proof; meaning that you must prove to the insurance company and/or the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission that your injuries are a result of your work place accident. It is up to the injured worker to show that timely notice of the injury was …
Disclose Your Medical History to Your Workers Compensation Doctor
Posted by Michele Lewane | Working With A Doctor
Should I disclose my whole medical history to my workers compensation doctor? I get questions about this all the time. The truth is, the Virginia workers compensation system can be very dangerous for those who don’t know the process. A mistake, even an innocent oversight, can spell major trouble for your case. One major mistake …
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What is an IME? It’s not a second opinion!
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Working With A Doctor
An IME (Independent Medical Exam) is not a second opinion! My office often gets panicked phone calls because an injured worker received a notice in the mail of an IME. They are very confused about what is going on. The workers compensation insurance company is allowed to order an IME (or 2 or even 3) …
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The Doctor Ordered a Functional Capacity Exam But I Need More Treatment. Should I Go To The Exam?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Working With A Doctor
If your doctor orders you to have a Functional Capacity Exam but you feel you need more treatment, should you go? This is a confusing thing for injured workers. The answer is YES!!! You absolutely should go. The Functional Capacity Exam (FCE for short) is an exam that measures the extent of your injury(ies) stemming from …
Can I Get Home Health Care If My Work Injuries Prevent Me From Taking Care of Myself?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Workers' Compensation Benefits, Working With A Doctor
I get calls from injured workers wanting to know how they are to go about their day-to-day lives while they are recovering from a serious work injury. Most people do not realize this but the injured worker is entitled to home health care if his or her treating physician indicates that it is medically necessary …