Can You See Your Own Doctor On Workers' Comp?

No, except in the case of an emergency. “[C]laimant should be sent to the employer/carrier's chosen primary care provider who will treat and recommend referral to a specialist, when necessary.”

Alabama Department of Labor Administrative Code Section 480-5-5-.12 and Alabama Department of Labor Frequently Asked Questions - Medical

Alaska

Yes. “You may choose a licensed doctor to treat your injury (including a licensed medical doctor, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, dentist, or optometrist). You may change your treating doctor once, but tell the insurer before you change.”

Alaska Statutes Section 23.30.095 and Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Workers’ Compensation and You

Arizona

Not for the first visit. “When an injury occurs, an employer has the right to have an injured worker seen by a doctor of the employer’s choice one time. . . . After the one visit to the employer’s designated physician, the injured worker may report to a physician of his/her choice. Exception: A small number of Arizona employers are self-insured with contracted medical care on file with the ICA. Workers who are injured while in the employ of one of these self-insured employers are required to go to the employers' contracted doctors for all medical care related to the industrial injury.”

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 23 - Labor and Industrial Commission of Arizona: Claims - Request to Change Doctors

Arkansas

No. “Your employer or its workers’ compensation insurance carrier has the right to choose the doctor who will treat you.”

“The employer and insurer may not be required to pay for treatment you seek on your own without their knowledge. However, the employer and insurer may authorize you to see your own doctor.”

Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission - Basic Facts about Workers’ Compensation and Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Questions & Answers

California

Yes, if you predesignate. “It depends on whether you tell your employer in writing-before you are injured-the name. Address of your personal physician or a medical group. This is called “predesignating.” If you predesignate, you may see your personal physician or the medical group right after you are injured. . . . If your employer or the insurer has [a medical provider network (MPN)], in most cases you will first be treated in the MPN after you are injured, unless you predesignated.”

California Labor Code Division 4 - Workers’ Compensation and Insurance and Workers’ Compensation in California - A Guidebook for Injured Workers

Colorado

No. “If you choose to seek your own medical care, it may result in nonpayment of medical benefits and you may be responsible for your own medical costs. If your employer does not direct you to a medical provider, you may seek treatment from a medical provider of your choice.”

Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act and Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Injured Workers

Connecticut

After the first visit. “A claimant may choose an attending physician after first receiving one initial visit with an employer-designated medical practitioner, if the employer offers one. An employee may choose any medical practitioner on the approved list of medical practitioners of the Workers’ Compensation Commission Chairman who is licensed to practice in Connecticut, including practitioners of chiropractic, medicine, natureopathy, optometry, osteopathy, and podiatry.”

Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Act Section 31-294d and Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission - What Do I Need to Know about Medical Care Under Workers’ Compensation?

Delaware

Yes, though examination by the employer’s doctor may be required. “Any employee who alleges an industrial injury shall have the right to employ a physician, surgeon, dentist, optometrist or chiropractor of the employee’s own choosing.” “After an injury, and during the period of resulting disability, the employee, if so requested by the employee’s employer or ordered by the Board, shall submit the employee’s own self for examination at reasonable times and places and as often as reasonably requested to a physician legally authorized to practice the physician’s profession under the laws of such place, who shall be selected and paid by the employer.”

Delaware Code Title 19 Sections 2321 and 2343 and Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs Frequently Asked Questions

Florida

No. “[Y]ou must ask your employer what doctor you can see. You must see a doctor authorized by your employer or the insurance company.”

Florida Statutes Title XXXI Section 440.13 and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Workers’ Compensation System Guide

Georgia

No, provided the employer as posted a panel of physicians. “Your employer is required to post information identifying medical care providers.”

Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Procedure Manual and Workers’ Compensation Law FAQs

After a work injury, it is important to discuss your situation with an attorney as soon as possible. I don't have an attorney. I am 18 or older.
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injury or health problem. In some cases, the Workers’ Compensation insurance company may ask you to see their doctor for an evaluation. You must see that doctor also.”

an insurer, the insurer may designate a different treating physician, or approve your choice of the treating physician.”

internal managed care unit. In the event of a serious injury, go to your nearest emergency room and follow staff directions.”

“The employee may petition the Commission to change physicians or approve a physician of employee’s selection when good grounds are shown. However, payment by the employer or carrier is not guaranteed unless written permission to change physicians is obtained from the employer, carrier, or Commission before the treatment is rendered.”

You may be entitled to significant compensation for your work injury. I don't have an attorney. I am 18 or older.
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*Note that even if the answer is “no,” this does not mean that you are prohibited from seeing a doctor of your choice. However, it does mean that you could be ineligible to recover the cost of your medical treatment under workers’ compensation. As always, before doing anything that could impact your legal rights, you should discuss your situation with an experienced work injury attorney.

FAQs: Can You See Your Own Doctor on Workers Comp?

Are There Any Exceptions to the Requirement to See an Approved Doctor for My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

In many cases, yes. Several states have laws that allow injured employees to see their own doctors if (i) they have a medical emergency, or (ii) their employer does not timely provide them with a list of approved physicians or access to a “company doctor.” If you would like to see your own doctor - or if you have already seen your own doctor - and your state’s law entitles your employer to designate your medical provider, you should discuss your workers’ comp claim with an attorney promptly.

What are the Consequences if I Don’t See an Approved Doctor As Required in My State?

If you don’t see an approved doctor (and if you are required to see an approved doctor under your state’s law), seeing your own doctor could result in a full or partial denial of benefits. However, you should not automatically assume that you can no longer file a claim. Each state’s rules are different, and there are exceptions in some cases (as discussed above). An attorney may still be able to help you secure workers compensation benefits-and you should contact a legal practitioner through WorkInjurySource.com for a free claim assessment right away.

What if I have a Claim Outside of Workers Comp?

If you have a claim outside of workers comp, then you should see an independent doctor (i.e. a doctor who is not affiliated in any way with your employer). Keep in mind that you may also need to see an approved doctor if you have a workers comp claim, but in this scenario you most likely will not want to rely on your approved doctor’s advice exclusively.

Should I See a Doctor or Talk to a Lawyer First After Getting Hurt at Work?

If you need emergency medical treatment, you should absolutely see a doctor right away. But, if your situation isn’t an emergency, you may choose to contact a lawyer first. An experienced local lawyer will be able to explain your state’s requirements; and, if you need to find your own doctor, a local lawyer should be able to provide you with a referral.

What if Workers Comp Doesn’t Cover My Medical Bills?

If workers comp doesn’t cover your medical bills, you may have a variety of other options available. For, example, if you have health insurance, your coverage should apply. An attorney may also be able to help you file a personal injury claim and/or apply for government benefits such as Medicaid, Social Security disability (SSD), or supplemental security income (SSI).