A reader asks:
I hurt my knee and am going to physical therapy. I’m still working, but the insurance company said that if I skip work for the time it takes to go to PT, I don’t get paid. Is that allowed?
Typically your employer doesn’t have to pay you for hours missed from work because you are attending physical therapy or going to a doctor unless you meet an exception to that rule.
Exception one would be if they are directing you to see a specific doctor or therapist.
Exception two would be if you can’t possibly attend those appointments outside of working hours and there isn’t a reasonable alternative available. For example, most physical therapists are open until seven or eight at night. If you get off work at 5:00 p.m. and would like to go home, that is not going to matter. You either get PT during the day and possibly lose some pay or you go after work.
On the other hand, if the only therapy option has to take place during working hours then it is possible to get paid for that missed time. This usually applies to people in more remote areas or people with very unique injuries that not all physical therapists can address. Other times we see this with doctors that have their own physical therapy clinic and want to do everything in house so they can check on patients (and probably so they can make even more money).
For most clients who can work but still need therapy, it becomes a bit of an inconvenience. But if you want to get healthy it’s one that you have to deal with.
We are workers’ compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.