You have the right to seek a second opinion on your workplace injury in Georgia, as in most other states in the United States. At Rechtman & Spevak, we encourage you to know your options and rights when dealing with a workplace injury.
3 Key Reasons to Seek a Second Opinion While Receiving Georgia Workers’ Comp Benefits
You deserve to feel confident in the medical care you are receiving, regardless of where your injury occurred. Seeking a second opinion after a workplace injury can be helpful if you want to confirm your diagnosis, explore alternative treatment options, or resolve disputes over the severity of your injury and your ability to return to work.
1. Confirming Your Diagnosis
If you are not satisfied with the initial diagnosis from your company's chosen doctor or medical provider, seeking a second opinion can help ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis. Misdiagnosis or incomplete assessments can have serious consequences for your health and compensation claims.
2. Exploring Alternative Treatment Options
Different doctors may have varying treatment approaches for the same injury. Getting a second opinion can help you explore alternative treatment options and make an informed decision about your health care.
3. Resolving Disputes
In some cases, your employer's workers' compensation insurer may dispute your claim. Having a second opinion from a reputable physician can strengthen your case and provide medical evidence to support your claim.
How to Get a Second Opinion
Typically, Georgia law requires you to choose a doctor from your employer's panel of physicians. If you are unhappy with the care you receive from the first doctor, you can request a change of physician to another doctor within this panel without needing permission from your employer. Alternatively, you can get a second opinion if your current treating doctor refers you to another provider or if you qualify to request an independent medical examination (IME).
How Our Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Protect Your Right to Medical Treatment
If there is a dispute or disagreement about your injury or treatment, an experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney at Rechtman & Spevak can help you gather evidence to strengthen your case. This includes assisting in finding a qualified physician for a second opinion and ensuring that the chosen doctor can provide an objective assessment of your injury.