When you get injured at work, one of the first questions that often comes up is what doctor you need to treat with for your injuries. Many times your employer will attempt to send you to a doctor of its choice who is often known as the "company doctor." Any attempt to do this by your employer is a violation of Pennsylvania law. Despite this, many employers routinely engage in this unlawful conduct.
Injured workers in Pennsylvania can be required to treat with a doctor from a panel properly established by their employer for the first ninety days of treatment if the employee is properly notified of the panel of doctors. However, even if proper notification is given, it is the injured worker's right to choose which doctor they will treat with on the panel of doctors provided by the employer. The employer never has the choice of which doctor the injured work must see for treatment.
The level of care and concern that a doctor has for an injured worker is always very important for the best interests of the injured worker. Allowing your employer to choose your doctor or choosing the wrong doctor yourself can have disastrous consequences for both your help and your claim. At Davis & Davis, we are willing to discuss with injured workers their rights and responsibilities in regard to their medical treatment for work related injures at no cost or obligation.