Can I choose my doctor in a Texas Workers’ Compensation Case?
The issue of workers’ compensation in Texas is important to you if you live and work in Texas, you have been injured on your job and you are having problems getting compensated for your work injury.
Workers’ compensation is insurance provided by your employee. It provides benefits in the form of medical coverage, income and rehabilitation to employees who suffer injury, or death benefits to family members of the deceased.
Workers compensation is paid without proving that your employer’s negligence contributed to your work injuries. Workers’ comp benefits are yours or your dependents or survivors as a matter of “right.” In return for this benefit, neither you nor your dependents nor survivors can sue your employer for compensation for your injuries or death.
Choosing a doctor after a Texas work injury
If you were injured on the job or you became ill as a result of your work and you have seen the company approved doctor, what happens if you are not satisfied with the doctor? Does Texas allow me to change doctors? Is my company responsible for paying that doctor or do I have to pay the doctor? The answer to both of these questions is, “Yes.” Texas workers’ compensation laws do allow you to change doctors, and you do not have to have the permission of your employer to do so. There is, however, a form that you must file with the Division of Workers’ Compensation if you decide to go to a different doctor. Your employer is responsible for paying the doctor. Make sure, however, that the doctor that you want to see is willing to accept workers’ compensation insurance. Here is where there may be a problem. The problem is that doctors in Texas have not been treated in an equitable and fair manner by insurance companies. As a result, there are a large number of doctors in Texas who are not accepting workers’ compensation cases any longer. Because of this, if you want to change doctors or see another doctor, you must make sure that the doctor you want to see is willing to agree to take a workers’ compensation case. If you have been injured at work and you need help; it is time to talk to a work comp lawyer. Please be sure to fill out the FREE evaluation form at the bottom of the page if you would like help reviewing your Texas Workers’ Compensation claim.
