The first thing you should know is that the doctor performing the exam is paid by the insurance company. This means that the insurance company and the employer are looking for reasons to discontinue your workers’ compensation benefits in whole or part. There is no doctor-patient relationship established, which means nothing is confidential. The sole purpose of this exam is for the employer and insurance company to receive an expert opinion regarding the nature, cause, and extent of the injuries.
You should note how the exam was conducted, such as where the doctor touched you, if the doctor made you lift your legs or touch your toes, or if the injured area was rotated. How long the exam took is also an important detail.
The doctor’s opinion is going to have an impact on your benefits. For instance, the doctor may state that your injury was not work-related. This can give the insurance company a reason to discontinue benefits. The doctor may also find that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which means you won’t get any better than you are now. This means any temporary benefits can be discontinued. If the doctor states that the treatment you received in the past was not necessary, the insurance company may try to deny payment of your medical bills.
Most people get upset when they get the results of the exam. This is an understandable reaction. Remember that this is only one person’s opinion, and you don’t have to follow it.
If you have had a medical examination and don’t agree with the results, call or text us to speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733. We offer free consultations, where we will listen to your story, answer your questions, and decide the best path in moving forward.
