You’ve just been injured at work, and your employer is insisting you see their designated doctor for treatment. You’re wondering if you have any choice in the matter—and whether this company doctor will truly have your best interests at heart.
The answer might surprise you: in Ohio, you have more rights than many workers realize.
Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation Medical Rules
Ohio workers’ compensation law gives injured employees specific rights when it comes to medical treatment. While your employer does have some control over your initial medical care, you’re not permanently locked into seeing their chosen doctors:
- Initial Treatment Requirements. For the first 90 days after your injury, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier can direct you to specific doctors or medical facilities.
- Your Right to Choose After 90 Days. After 90 days, you gain the right to select your own treating physician from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s approved provider list.
- Emergency Situations Are Different. If your injury requires immediate emergency care, you can seek treatment at the nearest appropriate medical facility. Don’t delay emergency treatment because you’re worried about using the “wrong” doctor!
Company Doctors Won’t Serve Your Interests
Company-selected doctors often have relationships with employers and insurance carriers. While most medical professionals maintain ethical standards, this relationship can create conflicts of interest that may not work in your favor. Company doctors might be more likely to:
- Inadvertently minimize the severity of your injuries
- Rush you back to work before you’re fully healed
- Avoid recommending expensive treatments or specialists
- Focus on cost containment rather than comprehensive care
If you’re required to see a company doctor initially, protect yourself by documenting everything. Keep detailed records of all symptoms, pain levels, and how your injury affects daily activities. Take photos of visible injuries and don’t hesitate to ask questions about your diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery timeline. Request copies of all medical records for your own files.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Control Your Recovery
Your health and full recovery should be the priority, not your employer’s insurance costs. If you’re being pressured to return to work too early, denied appropriate treatment, or feel like the company doctor isn’t taking your injuries seriously, you have options. The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you understand your rights and fight for the treatment you deserve.
When insurance companies put profits over your recovery, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your workers’ compensation case right away.
