“Can my injury claims include chiropractic treatment?”
The question of whether or not a person suffering from a workplace injury can receive compensation for chiropractic treatment is quite common. If you sustained an injury in a workplace accident, you can claim personal injury damages. The employer’s workers compensation insurance company becomes responsible for your work injury related medical bills.
Common Types of Job Accidents
If you were injured in a work related accident, you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor. The following are some of the most common types of job accidents:
- Car crash.
- Defective product.
- Slip and fall accidents.
- Construction site incidents.
- Pedestrian accidents.
Common Injuries Resulting from Workplace Accidents
The victim of a workplace accident may need to file a compensation claim to recover their damages resulting from their injury. Common damages include medical costs, psychological trauma, lost wages, and physical pain. Some of the most common types of injuries from workplace accidents are these:
- Neck injuries or whiplash.
- Low back pain, strain, and injuries.
- Spinal cord dislocation.
- Shoulder, hand, or arm issues.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Your Right to Workers Compensation
A personal injury attorney handles cases of those requiring workers compensation after bodily harm that occurred in the workplace. Workers compensation is the insurance coverage for medical expenses and lost wages when an employee receives injuries on the job.
- Some states only allow injured workers to consult doctors chosen by employers.
- Other states permit the employees to choose healthcare providers from a list provided by the state, insurer, and employer.
- Rules as to whether the injured worker can choose the physician for the preliminary or first treatment vary from state to state. Sometimes, you have the liberty to choose the doctor for the continuing treatment for your industrially-related medical condition.
Fight for the Right Doctor to Treat Work-Related Injuries
If your company-selected doctor does not provide the level or quality of care that you need in order to recover from your injury, you may be best served by talking to a personal injury lawyer immediately. They may be able to successfully fight for your right to change doctors. For instance, an attorney might argue that it is necessary for you to see a chiropractor rather than a general practitioner to effectively treat your particular injury.
Choosing the right doctor to treat your injuries should be your right, especially if the company-selected doctor lacks the skills to treat your injuries. Hiring an experienced workers compensation lawyer to advocate on your behalf can make all the difference. Such a lawyer is familiar with the process of negotiating with insurance companies. They may work with a network of medical professionals who can examine the injured worker and testify as to what treatments are necessary to help them recover from their injury. In addition, the workers comp lawyer may consult a medical professional to submit the following information to the insurance company:
- Medical documentation that shows that chiropractic care may best relieve your spinal, joint, or other type of injury.
- The anticipated duration and frequency of chiropractic treatments to help heal your injury.
- What areas of the body the chiropractor will treat.
Employer Bias Against Chiropractors
Many employers and medical insurance companies have a bias against chiropractic care because workers abuse the healing therapy to present extravagant compensation claims to insurers.
Today, chiropractic care is included in many healthcare insurance plans, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield for federal employees. The Internal Revenue Service accepts medical deductions related to chiropractic services. Even the military’s Veterans Administration medical facilities can approve chiropractic care. If you received a workplace injury, talk to a legal professional such as the New York Workers Comp Attorney who may be able to help you receive chiropractic care compensation.
Thanks to authors at Polsky, Shouldice, & Rosen P.C. for their insight into Workers Compensation.