Is It True That Doctors in Chicago Work for Workers’ Comp?

After a workplace injury in Chicago, you might be wary about your doctors. Do they work for the workers’ compensation board? Is their job to provide you with effective treatment, or are they trying to help your employer reduce their expenses? These are perfectly valid questions, and you deserve to work with healthcare providers you can trust. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Chicago may be able to provide helpful guidance.

“Company Doctors” Defined 

If you’re worried about working with a medical provider you can’t trust, you might come across the term “company doctor.” Also known as “workers’ compensation doctors,” these medical professionals have close working relationships with insurers, employers, and sometimes lawyers. Although all doctors are sworn to provide effective treatment for their patients, these doctors are also somewhat loyal to employers and insurers.

The real question is simple: Can you trust them? First, you should consider something called the “Hippocratic oath.” This is a promise that each doctor makes to prioritize the needs of their patients above all else. If they breach this oath, they could lose their license to practice medicine. This should at least provide some reassurance.

On the other hand, there is no getting around the fact that company doctors work for (you guessed it) the insurance companies that employ them. As a result, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where they would provide diagnoses that cause unwanted losses for their employers.

Suppose you suffered an injured leg after a construction accident in Chicago. You might benefit from a complex and expensive leg surgery. But how can you trust a company doctor to recommend this surgery if their goal is to limit losses for the insurance company? What if they recommend a cheaper form of treatment instead, and you’re left walking with a limp for the rest of your life as a result? These are perfectly valid questions.

You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Doctor in Chicago 

Fortunately, Illinois has relatively strong laws when it comes to “patient choice” after workplace injuries. You can choose your own doctor when pursuing treatment for your workplace injuries. Your employer might force you to see a company doctor for your initial visit, but you’re usually free to choose your own doctor from that point on. Keep in mind that if there is any dispute over the nature or extent of your injury, the insurer might request that their own doctor examine you.

Let a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Guide You 

If you’re not sure who you can trust, consider speaking with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago. These legal professionals guide you toward financial security and positive healthcare. In the world of modern medicine, conflicts of interest are always a concern. Fortunately, you should have the right to choose your own doctors and work with people you trust. Contact Connolly Injury Law today for more information.

Sources:

 iwcc.illinois.gov/about/insurance.html

propublica.org/article/the-demolition-of-workers-compensation