The other day, there was an article in the Chicago Tribune about Dr. Joseph Giacchino who is a pain management doctor who is accused of dispensing an unreasonably high amount of pain pills to his patients.
Now I don’t know this doctor or if he is guilty or not of anything he’s been accused of. But I do know that he has treated many Illinois injured workers and if your case depended on his medical opinion it would not be a good thing for you.
My firm belief is that even for patients that received proper care from this physician, the Arbitrators at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission will not look at him as a credible doctor.
This happens a few times a year and often is beyond the control of the patient. After all, you go to a doctor for help. That said, if you suspect that your doctor is over-medicating you or you simply have concerns about your recovery, don’t shy away from getting a 2nd opinion.
In the very least you should ask your attorney what they know/think about the doctor and do research as to what most patients with similar injuries receive for pain therapy.
This doctor is accused of giving too much of highly narcotic and addictive drugs like Oxycontin. If true he probably ruined some lives. Even if not true, his poor reputation will probably ruin some work injury cases.
