A doctor of your choice
The insurance company can send you to a doctor of your choosing. Did you know that your lawyer can do that too?
We try not to get involved in our client's medical care unless we have a real strong opinion about the physician they are seeing. If their doctor is known as a bad surgeon for example, I'd tell a client before they were operated on because that is what you should do for a friend.
Some attorneys for injured workers choose at the end of the case to send their client to a doctor for an opinion as to whether or not the injury is work related. We don't do that. In our opinion the most credible doctor is your treating physician. If they are in your corner, on a disputed case more often than not the Arbitrator will find for you.
We thought of this the other day when talking to a defense attorney friend. They were dealing with a case where the petitioner's attorney sent their client to a doctor who is known as a hack. Her firm started comparing reports of this doctor and noticed that they were all basically written the same with the same opinions.
There are "hired guns" for both workers and companies. Most of them are known by the Arbitrators which kills their credibility. If your attorney is sending you to one of these guys it can really hurt you. Ask them why not go to your treating doctor who knows you and knows your medical history. It could be the difference between winning and losing.
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.
