7 Common Mistakes Made by Injured Workers
Get the chiropractic care you need
1. Injured workers don't report the work injury
Some workers wait to see if their injury will improve or avoid reporting an injury to keep their boss happy. This can lead to many more problems. Report your injury and fill out the necessary form as soon as possible. If your injury quickly resolves, great. If it doesn't resolve quickly, you have documented the accident and your need for care.
2. Waiting to seek treatment
The second step you should take after reporting you injury at work, is to schedule an evaluation of your injury. Don't wait more than 24-48 hours to seek attention. The longer you wait, the more likely your injury will become a chronic problem.
3. Seeing a doctor that does not treat injured workers
Some doctors choose not to treat injured workers due to the extra paperwork or personal preference. Before your evaluation, ask staff if the doctor is certified to treat injured workers through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. In Ohio injured workers have the right to choose their physician (Chiropractic, Osteopathic, or Medical).
4. Only seeing a doctor recommended by your employer
Some treatment facilities are focused primarily on returning an injured worker to work as soon as possible. If you think you are being rushed back to work, not being thoroughly evaluated, or thoroughly treated, seek a second opinion from an independent doctor. Workers should return to work as soon as their injury allows. However, returning to work too soon while pain is covered up with medication can further aggravate the injury and lead to more chronic problems.
5. Assuming an employer will retaliate against you
In Ohio it is illegal for an employer to retaliate or discriminate against an employee that files a claim for a work injury. Most employers want you to receive the appropriate care and will work with your doctor to help you temporarily perform light duty if you need work restrictions. Any retaliation or discrimination should be reported to the local Workers' Compensation office.
6. Stopping care if it is denied
Claims are routinely denied initially by reviewers even when your doctor has documented that your care is medically necessary. Stopping care could allow your condition to worsen before the denial is overruled and care approved again. That is why it is important to choose a doctor that is familiar with work injuries and knows how to document your case. Your doctor should provide the appropriate reports and documentation so that any denials will be reversed and you receive the appropriate care. Do not accept a denial of care that is medically necessary, and follow through with the recommended treatment.
7. Assuming a work injury claim can't be filed due to prior health problems
If you experienced an injury at work caused by your work duties, and it significantly increased your pain or caused disability, you have the right to file a claim. Ohio regulations require your employer to take you "as is". You may already have problems, but if they are significantly worse after a work injury, you have the right to have your care covered through the Workers' Compensation system. Furthermore, pre-existing problems serve to complicate your condition and make it more likely to be injured at work. It is important to seek a doctor that understands this.
Doctors at McMichael Chiropractic have been treating injured workers in Canton and the surrounding area for over 35 years. We enjoy helping these patients improve their health and return to work. It is important to find a doctor who is able to help you AND do the necessary work to make sure your claim is appropriately approved. Injured workers have the right to choose their doctor and receive appropriate care to resolve a work injury.
Some workers wait to see if their injury will improve or avoid reporting an injury to keep their boss happy. This can lead to many more problems. Report your injury and fill out the necessary form as soon as possible. If your injury quickly resolves, great. If it doesn't resolve quickly, you have documented the accident and your need for care.
2. Waiting to seek treatment
The second step you should take after reporting you injury at work, is to schedule an evaluation of your injury. Don't wait more than 24-48 hours to seek attention. The longer you wait, the more likely your injury will become a chronic problem.
3. Seeing a doctor that does not treat injured workers
Some doctors choose not to treat injured workers due to the extra paperwork or personal preference. Before your evaluation, ask staff if the doctor is certified to treat injured workers through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. In Ohio injured workers have the right to choose their physician (Chiropractic, Osteopathic, or Medical).
4. Only seeing a doctor recommended by your employer
Some treatment facilities are focused primarily on returning an injured worker to work as soon as possible. If you think you are being rushed back to work, not being thoroughly evaluated, or thoroughly treated, seek a second opinion from an independent doctor. Workers should return to work as soon as their injury allows. However, returning to work too soon while pain is covered up with medication can further aggravate the injury and lead to more chronic problems.
5. Assuming an employer will retaliate against you
In Ohio it is illegal for an employer to retaliate or discriminate against an employee that files a claim for a work injury. Most employers want you to receive the appropriate care and will work with your doctor to help you temporarily perform light duty if you need work restrictions. Any retaliation or discrimination should be reported to the local Workers' Compensation office.
6. Stopping care if it is denied
Claims are routinely denied initially by reviewers even when your doctor has documented that your care is medically necessary. Stopping care could allow your condition to worsen before the denial is overruled and care approved again. That is why it is important to choose a doctor that is familiar with work injuries and knows how to document your case. Your doctor should provide the appropriate reports and documentation so that any denials will be reversed and you receive the appropriate care. Do not accept a denial of care that is medically necessary, and follow through with the recommended treatment.
7. Assuming a work injury claim can't be filed due to prior health problems
If you experienced an injury at work caused by your work duties, and it significantly increased your pain or caused disability, you have the right to file a claim. Ohio regulations require your employer to take you "as is". You may already have problems, but if they are significantly worse after a work injury, you have the right to have your care covered through the Workers' Compensation system. Furthermore, pre-existing problems serve to complicate your condition and make it more likely to be injured at work. It is important to seek a doctor that understands this.
Doctors at McMichael Chiropractic have been treating injured workers in Canton and the surrounding area for over 35 years. We enjoy helping these patients improve their health and return to work. It is important to find a doctor who is able to help you AND do the necessary work to make sure your claim is appropriately approved. Injured workers have the right to choose their doctor and receive appropriate care to resolve a work injury.
