Choosing Your Own Doctor for a Detroit Workers' Comp Claim

At Levine Benjamin, our attorneys help people with disability law including Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation. One of the most common questions we get regarding Workers’ Comp is rather or not you’ll be able to see your own doctor if you’re hurt at work.

Michigan’s Workers’ Comp laws do allow you to see your own doctor, but there’s a catch: Your employer gets to choose your doctor for the first 28 days following the start of your medical care.

However, once those 28 days have passed, you can change doctors if you wish. If you do, we strongly recommend that you notify (in writing) the insurance company and your employer of the doctor you have chosen.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Doctor When You’re Hurt on the Job

If you’ve suffered an injury at work, you’re most likely worried about keeping food on the table, paying your mortgage and just getting by from day to day.

The first step in the Workers’ Comp process is for you to file a claim. Once your claim has been approved your employer’s Workers’ Comp insurance will cover your medical treatment and pay you a portion of your lost wages.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing a treating physician. As mentioned above, your employer gets to pick your doctor in the beginning. Hopefully, it’s a good doctor because you’re stuck with them for 28 days after you begin receiving medical treatment.

Once those 28 days are up, you can see a doctor of your choosing. Any doctor you choose should be familiar with the specifics of your workplace injury. And make sure you choose a doctor is has the time and is willing to fill out any forms or reports required by the Workers’ Compensations system.

How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You Choose the Right Doctor

Workers’ Comp lawyers should be familiar with doctors who regularly see patients who were hurt at work – doctors who are familiar with the Michigan Workers’ Compensation system.

At our firm, we work closely with our clients and their doctors so that everyone is on the same page about the treatment needed, the Workers’ Comp reports and the importance of gathering all the right medical evidence.

If you have any doubts about choosing a doctor after you’re hurt at work, make sure you contact a Workers’ Compensation attorney for help.

About Kevin Kain

Kevin is an attorney, shareholder, vice president and chief financial officer at Levine Benjamin in Detroit. He is currently head of the Workers’ Compensation Department and has been with the firm for 24 years. Kevin has devoted his career to representing Workers’ Compensation claimants.

He received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his J.D. from Detroit College of Law. He is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, the United States Federal Court Eastern District of Michigan and before the United States Supreme Court.

Learn more about Levine Benjamin’s Detroit Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.