Illinois work comp insurance companies can be so slimy. A nice woman called me about her case. Single mom, very hard worker, just trying to take care of her kids. Unfortunately she has a really bad shoulder and leg injury. TTD pay was not enough to support herself so she tried to go back to work and she could only last a couple of days because her pain got so bad.

When she called she had been treating with a doctor assigned to her by the insurance adjuster for almost seven months. While it’s a small miracle that doctor, who surely is looking out for the company, has not said she is fine, she also is not getting very aggressive treatment.

She asked the adjuster about getting a second opinion from a different doctor that she knows of. The insurance company told her she can go (true), but they do not have to pay for it (FALSE!) and all of those costs would be out of her pocket. She of course can not afford that.

Someone mentioned that she should seek a lawyer and were were lucky that she called us. We love helping anyone, but especially enjoy working with people who are getting abused by the insurance company.

We let her know that she has a right to get a medical opinion of her own choosing. And since this was her first choice, it’s not a case where she’s shopping around for doctors. In other words, there is no credible argument for the work comp insurance company to not pay for the medical treatment.

When she learned this, the caller was over the moon with happiness. She told us that she feels like she does not have a backbone and needed someone to stand up for her.

Insurance companies sadly prey on people like this and really take advantage of them. It’s pathetic.

Now she’s never chosen her own doctor. Note that for most people, even if you have seen your own doctor, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows you to seek a second opinion. Whether or not the insurance company has to pay for it depends on the circumstances.

If your doctor says you are fine and can go back to work full duty, the insurance company probably does not have to pay for a second opinion.

But if it is something like your doctor wants you to have a surgery or you are not getting better or having trouble getting appointments, then a second opinion would be warranted and something they would be expected to 100% cover.

Every case is different of course which is why it’s important to know your rights. If you want a free, no commitment consultation about your case, contact us any time at 888-705-1766. We help everywhere in Illinois and promise to treat you like a friend of member of our family.