Medical Treatment

When you have a workers’ compensation claim, your employer or its insurance company provides and directs medical treatment, subject to any Orders of the Industrial Commission. Therefore, typically your employer will direct your medical care and will choose your physician(s). The employee may petition the Industrial Commission to change physicians or approve a physician of the employee’s selection when good grounds are shown. However, payment by the employer or insurance carrier is not guaranteed unless written permission to change physicians is obtained from the employer, insurance carrier, or the Industrial Commission before you receive treatment.
If you want to see a chiropractor and your employer grants permission for you to see a chiropractor, the employee is entitled to 20 visits if medically necessary. The chiropractor can request authorization from the employer for additional visits if necessary.

If there is an emergency and your employer fails or refuses to provide medical treatment, you may obtain necessary treatment from a physician or hospital of your own choice, but must promptly request that the Industrial Commission approves this treatment.

For questions about workers’ compensation issues and to learn more about how to recover the maximum amount available for your work-related injury, you may call us for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. Hemmings & Stevens, P.L.L.C., represents individuals and families statewide in any city or county in the State of North Carolina.

For more information about our services, please contact us.