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A common mistake that could end your workers’ comp claim

On Behalf of | Nov 21, 2020 | Workers' Compensation |

Sometimes, when you go see a doctor, it may feel like they don’t live in the same world that you do. They may ask you to restrict your activity in a way that is unrealistic. They could recommend treatments that seem far too expensive or time consuming for your life.

Patients often balk at surgery that seems unnecessary, lengthy commitments to physical therapy and even certain kinds of medication. However, before you decide to roll your eyes and ignore your doctor’s recommendation, you need to learn about how that might impact your right to workers’ compensation benefits if your injury or illness is work related.

Failing to follow medical orders can hurt your claim

Whether you were injured in a workplace accident or acquired an occupational illness, workers’ compensation benefits is designed to cover the cost of your medical treatment and replace a portion of your lost wages while you recover. In cases where the condition has a permanent impact on your earning potential, you may be able to receive partial or total permanent disability benefits.

However, your ability to claim those benefits directly stems from the impact it has on your employment. When you make decisions that worsen your condition or increase its impact on your life, those decisions might affect the benefits you can receive.

Refusing to follow medical orders can result in a denial of continued benefits, regardless of how serious your condition is. Rather than refusing the care that you need, you might want to look into securing a second opinion.

It’s also worth remembering that workers’ comp covers 100% of the medical costs, so you don’t have to worry so much about how expensive two months of physical therapy would be as much as you have to worry about what the impact might be if you don’t follow through with the plan of care.

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