A workplace injury can leave you facing significant hardship. While you struggle to recoup from the physical harm that you have experienced, the financial realities of your recovery can leave you in a predicament. Although worker’s compensation benefits might provide you with some relief, in order to successfully navigate the process, you’ll have to know how to handle some of its intricacies.
What is the independent medical examination?
When you seek worker’s compensation benefits, the insurance company will probably ask that you obtain a medical examination by a medical provider identified by the insurance company. The thought behind this requirement is that the insurance company will receive an unbiased diagnosis and prognosis from a medical provider who doesn’t know you.
Of course, this can put you at a disadvantage, as an independent medical examination may result in a finding that your injuries don’t prevent you from working or that they may have been caused by something other than work. These findings can put your claim at risk, as negative findings by an independent medical examiner may cut you off from the benefits that you need.
Protecting your interests during the medical examination process
Although the independent medical examination process can be stressful, there are things that you can do to make it easier. To do so, you can:
- Gather your medical records
- Show up on time
- Present in accordance with how your injuries make you feel
- Avoid minimizing your injuries
- Be honest
Of course, if you get a poor examination result, you may need to take more action. An attorney who is skilled in handling these matters may be able to help you do just that so that you protect your ability to recover the benefits that you need.