Sustaining minor injuries is common in many professions, but when you are severely injured while at work, you should be able to get financial recovery for those injuries. However, because filing for workers’ compensation can be a complex process, it is important to follow the correct steps to better your chances. One of those steps includes going to the hospital for any necessary treatment and obtaining medical reports following the work-related injury in Chicago.
Following a work-related accident, it is crucial that the employee gets medical treatment, regardless of how minor or severe the injury may seem at the time. This is because physicians play an important role in workers’ compensation claims. While it is first important that they treat the patient and help them back to health, they also provide documentation of injuries and causes of those injuries.
When an injured employee goes to the hospital immediately following an accident, a doctor can document everything properly for the case and the insurance company. If they do not document everything correctly and if the worker does not come in right away, it could be putting the claim at risk.
If an injured employee has to go to court for their claim, an attorney could help depose the physician who initially helped them. Doctors do not typically have to show up to a hearing unless the worker is required to do an evidence deposition. An attorney with experience in this area could further explain the physician’s role if necessary.
After treating the injured worker, the attending physician creates a work status report. A work status report is a form that lists the current work restrictions the employee must have if they are able to return to work. For example, the report may state an employee cannot lift items over a set number of pounds, that they need to be sitting rather than standing while working, or that they are required to have a number of breaks while they heal. The report also includes any other limitations an employee may have, such as being unable to drive while they are in the period of being treated.
The attending physician writes progress notes throughout the case, as well. The injured employee may be prescribed physical therapy, which a doctor can check in on in follow-up appointments. They can then dictate a progress report and continue with the process until the case is finalized. This not only gives a timeframe of your healing process, but it provides evidence that could be useful when filing a claim.
When obtaining medical reports following a work-related injury in Chicago, you should retain qualified legal assistance along the way to help you through the process. An attorney could help you find a respected physician to put together evidence to help your case while you recover from your injuries. Call today.
Costa Ivone, LLC
N/a
English
Español