Each year, thousands of workers in Colorado suffer a variety of on-the-job injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits are ordinarily available for those workers to cover medical and medical-related expenses, a portion of lost wages and other needs, depending on the nature of the injuries. One of the first priorities after being injured at work is to find a doctor.
Under Colorado law, you are entitled to choose between two doctors — the names of whom are to be provided by your employer. If your employer does not provide you with such a list, you may choose any doctor you wish. It is important to note, however, that the insurer might not approve of the doctor you choose. This is just one of the reasons why it is beneficial to have an attorney represent your interests and protect your rights when it comes to dealing with workers’ compensation issues.
Once you have chosen a doctor, it is important to be as honest with him or her as possible. A physician’s knowledge may be vast, but no one knows your body the way you do. If you disagree with the doctor about your diagnosis, treatment or any other issue that could affect your recovery, you have the right to a second opinion. More than likely, you could end up being the only one advocating for your medical needs inside the doctor’s exam room.
You should not have to fight for the treatment to which you are entitled. Navigating the workers’ compensation system after being injured at work can seem like an insurmountable task, which is why engaging the advice and assistance of an attorney could be as important to your recovery as any medical support. Just knowing that someone is looking out for your interests instead of the insurance company’s interests may relieve any additional stress the process has added to an already uncomfortable and challenging situation.
