The workers' compensation insurance company will sometimes assign a "nurse" to an injured worker's case. If a nurse has been assigned to your case, beware! The nurse will call an injured worker before and after doctors' appointments and sometimes will attend the doctors' appointments. The nurse will report to the insurance company on the treating doctor's recommendations and will often guide an injured worker to other doctors or specialists. The injured worker should be aware of the fact that while everyone, including the insurance company, has an interest in seeing that the injured worker gets better, there is a great advantage to the workers' compensation insurance company if it is able to control medical treatment. You do not have to talk to the rehab nurse. You do not have to allow the rehab nurse into the examination room with you. You can tell your doctor not to talk to the rehab nurse out of your presence.

Injured workers have the right to choose their own doctors after they have been treated for their work injury for 90 days. The injured worker's right to select his/her own doctors includes the right to select specialists outside of the area when appropriate. If an injured worker is treated outside of the area, the workers' compensation insurance company may be required to reimburse the injured worker for travel expenses. Workers' compensation law provides the injured worker with the right to control his or her own medical treatment, and if you are having trouble in this area, we can help.