Suffering an injury at work is bad enough. Going through the process of filing workers’ compensation claim(s) and getting medical treatment can make life even more difficult. It’s incredibly frustrating to suffer an injury and then have trouble getting appropriate treatment. Worse, it can make injuries worse and cause more systemic medical issues.
Every workers’ compensation case is different. If you’ve begun treatment for an injury and disagree with your doctor’s diagnosis or treatment, see Chapter 4 of the California Workers’ Compensation Guidebook. If you don’t agree with the treatment you’re offered, you have the right to another medical opinion, but it’s important to follow the appropriate steps outlined in the manual. You can also contact us if you’d like to have an attorney work on your case.
The term “pre-existing condition” has long been the bane of Americans trying to get healthcare, and it can make life more difficult for those getting treatment for a workplace injury. Regardless of whether you have a prior injury or medical condition, if that injury is aggravated on the job, or a new injury is suffered at work, you may have the right to workers’ compensation benefits and suitable medical treatment. If your claim is denied, this page from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations is a good resource to understand the next steps you can take.
Dealing with bureaucracy can be frustrating, and workers’ compensation cases involve dealing with multiple bureaucracies, including state agencies, medical facilities, and legal institutions. It’s important to remember these bureaucracies were created for your healthcare and your workers’ compensation rights. If you’ve begun the process and you are still having challenges obtaining necessary treatment, you have issues with old injuries, or you’re experiencing any other complications, we can help. Fill out our short intake form and we’ll talk about the next steps you can take for your health, for your rights.