When a worker is injured on the job, it can expose them to a variety of expenses. From the loss of wages to paying for expensive medical treatments, an on the job injury can be a financial disaster. Luckily, this is exactly what worker's compensation is designed to protect employees from, but this is a form of insurance that is widely misunderstood. As a result, you might benefit from having the following questions about these claims answered.

How Is The Treating Physician Selected?

It should come as no surprise that patients want to have input on the doctor that is treating their injuries. Unfortunately, it should be noted it is generally held that the insurance company and your employer will be given the right to choose your treating doctor. However, there may be instances where you can challenge the doctor that you have been assigned. 

This is done by filing an appeal with the appropriate department of your local government. Under this appeal, you will be allowed to present reasons for wanting the change. Often, these reasons can include transportation challenges, inadequate care or a host of other reasons. However, the laws for each area are slightly different, and you will need to speak with an experienced attorney to better understand your unique situation. 

What Is The Difference Between Partial And Total Disability?

Most individuals that receive worker's compensation will recover from their injuries, but there are many people that will be left with some form of permanent disability. However, there are different classifications of disability, and it is important for you to understand the difference between being partially or totally disabled. 

When an individual is partially disabled, they will have lost some degree of function. However, these individuals will retain the majority of their functionality, and they will be able to continue working with reasonable accommodations. In contrast, a person that is totally disabled likely struggles on a day to day basis with getting around and supporting themselves. Also, these individuals are unable to work with reasonable accommodations. Unfortunately, there are some insurance companies that will resist classifying a person as totally disabled to minimize their payout, and you may need to hire an attorney to successfully appeal this determination.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a serious injury while working, you might be legally entitled to worker's compensation benefits. Yet, it is a reality that many workers have a weak understanding of this form of protection. Learning how the doctor will be selected and the difference between partial and total disability will help you to better understand your rights when it comes to this form of protection. Visit http://leifericksonlawoffice.net to learn more about how a workers compensation lawyer can help you with your case.

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