Who Gets to Choose My Doctor After a North Carolina Work Injury?

In 2011, the North Carolina Legislature stripped workers of their right to choose their own doctors after suffering a work-related injury. Now, the workers’ compensation insurance providers choose which primary doctors injured workers can see, as well as who their specialty care or follow-up medical providers will be.

At the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys know that while this is still true, workers do have the right to pursue a second opinion for their treatment.

If you have been injured at work and are not satisfied with the insurance company’s choice of physicians, you have rights.

Our Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation attorneys work directly for our injured North Carolina clients, and will ensure your rights are protected throughout your case.

What Rights Do I Have to Seek a Second Medical Opinion for a North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Injury?

Under the new laws, injured workers do have some right to petition the North Carolina Industrial Commission to ask that they require the insurance company to pay for a second opinion.

Our Charlotte workers’ compensation law firm founder and managing attorney, Martha Ramsay, has been giving a voice to the injured for more than 25 years and can help you determine the benefits you are entitled to after suffering a workplace injury in North Carolina.

That includes petitioning the Commission to force the insurance company to honor a second medical opinion.

Do I Have the Right to Pursue a Second Opinion For My Doctor’s Impairment Rating?

The North Carolina Industrial Commission has developed a guide for physicians to rate industrial accidents and to provide a reference point for making impairment evaluations.

Under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law, the physician rates injuries according to the percentage of impairment of the affected part of the body.

The rating examines the extent of the injury, which could include the limited ability to use a body part or an inability to use the body system. These ratings are calculated using the North Carolina Industrial Rating Guidelines.

Once the impairment rating is assigned, the injured worker still has the option to get a second opinion on the impairment rating only.

The physician who reviews the rating cannot provide an opinion on whether the worker needs additional medical care, or when or if the worker can go back to work.

We can help you clearly understand each of your rights under our North Carolina Workers’ Compensation laws.

Contact Our Skilled North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Specialists Today

Our dedicated workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all injured North Carolina employees by calling 704-376-1616 or contacting us online

Our Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation attorneys and a skilled team of lawyers and support staff in Charlotte are here to manage each detail of your case, so you can focus on your recovery.

All Workers Welcome. Ask Martha for Help Today.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.