Medical Treatment After a Workplace Injury in Joliet

If you suffered injuries at work, you are likely eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits to cover all your reasonable medical care costs. Although the Workers’ Compensation Act provides compensation for medical expenses after an accident on the job, determining who to seek treatment from, communicating the extent of your injuries, and collecting payments for medical care can be challenging.

Thankfully, a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney could help you through this difficult process. To learn more about seeking quality care, reach out to an experienced lawyer about medical treatment after a workplace injury in Joliet.

Choosing a Medical Care Provider After Workplace Injuries

After suffering injuries while performing job duties, an employee should select healthcare providers to visit for their treatment. However, they may be required to visit a physician from their employer’s Preferred Provider Plan (PPP), which offers workers a limited number of healthcare professionals to seek treatment from.

If an injured employee does not receive adequate care from those providers, they can seek medical treatment from doctors outside the PPP. Likewise, if an employer does not have a PPP, a worker can choose to visit any medical care provider.

Employers have a right to ask employees to see a physician of their choice for an examination, which they may do for company records.

Employer Access to Medical Records

Employers also have the legal right to request a copy of all medical records of employees injured while on the job. A company can do so as long as the injured worker is still receiving medical care covered by workers’ compensation benefits.

However, an employer does not have the right to contact a worker’s healthcare provider about their injuries or illnesses while the injured party is not present. A seasoned attorney in Joliet could inform an injured employee about the rules of seeking medical care after an incident at work.

What Medical Care Does the Illinois Workers’ Comp Statute Cover?

According to Illinois Compiled Statutes 820 ILCS 305/, the Workers’ Compensation Act allows employees who were hurt on the job to collect payment for medical care costs and treatment needed to relieve their injuries. Reasonable treatment that the statute may cover includes:

• First aid
• Prescriptions and medical devices
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Visits to physicians, specialists, and surgeons
• Emergency room visits, including overnight stays
• Transportation costs in emergencies, such as the ambulance or medevac

While legislation allows workers to collect payment for medical treatment related to workplace incidents, it is not uncommon for an employer’s insurance company to challenge these claims. Receiving a denial of benefits notification does not mean an employee cannot collect payments, but it is wise to seek legal advice from an experienced lawyer in Joliet.

Call a Dedicated Joliet Attorney about Medical Treatment After a Workplace Injury

If you were in a workplace accident and suffered injuries, you could collect benefits to cover your medical care through the Workers’ Compensation Act. However, you must follow strict procedures when seeking medical care.

A knowledgeable legal professional could guide you through the challenging process and ensure you receive the care you need to heal from your injuries properly. Contact a hard-working lawyer today to discuss medical treatment after a workplace injury in Joliet.