What are a workers rights in seeing the doctor?
In some states, workers have a right to see their own doctors if this request is made in writing before the injury occurs. More typically, however, injured workers are referred to a doctor recruited and paid for by their employers. The doctor’s report will have a big impact upon the benefits the worker will receive. While it is crucial that workers tell the doctor the truth about both their injuries and their medical history, it is important to clearly identify all possible job- related medical problems and sources of pain. In short, this is no time to downplay or gloss over the presence of a pain or medical problem. Of course, being untruthful or less than honest can lead to charges of fraud. Keep in mind that a doctor paid by an employer’s insurance company is not the worker’s friend. The desire to get future business may motivate a doctor to minimize the seriousness of the injury or to identify it as a pre-existing condition. For example, if someone injures her back and the doctor a
