As attorneys who help injured workers in the state of Illinois, we look for trends in how insurance companies and employers fight cases. They are trying to limit benefit payouts, even when it hurts the worker or sometimes when it’s not legal.

It’s kind of like a game of whack a mole. You identify one thing they are trying and a new one pops up. There is a new one that is kind of a twist on an old one. And it’s really concerning as it could harm the health of a lot of workers.

For a long time employers have worked with “company clinics” to provide medical treatment to their injured workers. Basically if you report a work related injury, they tell you to see the company clinic doctor and go from there.

These health care providers are called “company clinic” but the reality is that they are usually just off site medical providers who are contracted to treat these work injuries. As you can imagine, they are looking out for the company and insurance company however they can because these can be huge money earners for them. They don’t want to lose the business. That doesn’t mean they will lie or give bad care, but it does mean that in many cases they don’t elevate the care in a way your personal doctor would and they try to limit costs. For example they might hold off in ordering a MRI. Or in what is a concerning trend, they will keep you from an orthopedic doctor.

There are a bunch of these companies. Concentra is a big one in Chicago. They also run urgent care clinics. Just like seeing an urgent care is cheaper than the ER, their work injury care is likely cheaper than an orthopedic doctor. So again for insurance companies only concerned about the bottom line, this is a big deal.

And in my opinion, these insurance companies (and some employers) are making injured workers feel like they have to treat at Concentra or whoever the company clinic is. I don’t believe Concentra would ignore a major injury, but it also is my opinion that they are thrilled to have the business.

So what can happen (and again I blame the insurance companies for this) is you feel like the company clinic is the only place you can get medical care. I’ve seen a huge uptick of workers with back injuries who three months into the problem have not seen an orthopedic doctor and have not had a MRI. Their care is typically limited to physical therapy and pain meds.

An orthopedic doctor specializes in treating back injuries. A company clinic doctor treats just about every problem that comes through the door. If you have anything other than a minor back strain, you want to be with an orthopedic doctor. And the work comp insurance company can not prevent you from doing this. You have a right to see one.

Any delay in getting you the correct medical care has the potential to cause you significant physical harm. So for most injured workers this is the proper course of action if you get hurt on the job:

  1. Report the injury to your boss.
  2. Go to the company clinic if they require that. If it is a major injury like a possible broken leg, go to an emergency room where they will be able to do all of the needed tests.
  3. If you are still feeling pain after a day or two after the accident, go see your own doctor.
  4. Ask your doctor at the first visit when the right time is to get referred to a specialist and ask for a recommendation. I wouldn’t let this linger past a month.
  5. Get to that specialist and let them guide your treatment plan.

And remember, you do not need health insurance. Under Illinois workers’ compensation law, the work comp insurance has to cover 100% of your medical care. No co-pays. No out of pocket expenses.

Don’t let this trend of keeping workers from the best doctors happen to you. Know your rights. And if you have any questions or need help with a case, reach out any time. We help everywhere in Illinois.