Michigan work injury lawyer discusses how injured employees can protect their legal rights to medical treatment.
Michigan workers’ comp law guarantees payment of medical bills for work-related accidents regardless of employee fault. This includes ambulance runs, emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor appointments, prescription medication, physical therapy, injections, durable medical equipment, and surgery. Mileage to and from medical appointments should be paid. Even attendant care to help with activities of daily living should be offered. Here is some information about medical only workers’ comp claim that everyone should know about.
What is a medical only workers’ comp claim?
Access to medical care is one of the most important benefits under workers’ comp law. Some people keep working but still need to see a doctor. This is considered a medical only workers’ comp claim. All reasonable and necessary medical treatment should be covered without copayments or deductibles being owed.
Watch out for insurance adjusters who lie and say you must use their doctors. This is being done to control work restrictions and costs. Individuals who filed a claim have the right to select their own doctor after 28 days from the start of medical care. The amount paid is governed by a state-wide fee schedule, so cost is not an issue. We tell our clients to pick the best doctor for their condition and make workers’ comp pay the bill.
A penalty payment applies to each medical bill that is not paid by workers’ comp within 30 days of it becoming due. For the penalty payment to apply, the insurance company must receive notice of nonpayment by certified mail and there cannot be a dispute. This penalty is limited to $50 or the amount of the bill if it is less.
Watch out for insurance companies games
Insurance companies frequently dispute medical only workers’ comp claims. This is typically based upon “peer review” or an independent medical examination (IME). The truth is that insurance companies want to save money on workers’ comp claims and look for any dumb reason not to pay. We recommend filing an Application for Mediation or Hearing to hold them accountable. A state mediator can sometimes get a claim paid with little trouble.
It can be difficult to find a lawyer who will accept a medical only workers’ comp claim. This is because attorney fees are rarely awarded by magistrates for disputed bills.
We tell our clients to submit disputed bills to health insurance for immediate payment. This ensures medical bills are paid and not sent to collections. Individuals who later get a settlement or award will have to pay money back.
We recommend consulting with an experienced work injury lawyer to find out about potential options. It is possible to negotiate a lump sum payment representing settlement of future medical care and that is sometimes a better option.
Injured on the job in Michigan and need help with your medical only workers’ comp claim? Contact our attorneys for a free consultation.
If you were injured on the job in Michigan need help with your medical only workers’ comp claim, call now (855) 221-2667 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you.
For more than 40 years, our lawyers have been helping people like you who have suffered from on the job injuries in Michigan. We understand the physical, emotional, and psychological hardships you are experiencing from your accident. We also have the skill, experience, and know-how to protect you and get you the best possible payout amount for your case.
To see what our own clients have to say about the caring, compassion, and communication they received from us, you can read in their own words about their experience here on our testimonials page from clients we have helped.
Remember, every work injury claim and settlement is different and must be negotiated on its own merits. Do not accept any payout amount without fully understanding your legal rights.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled employees exclusively for more than 40 years. Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
Michigan Employer’s Basic Report Of Injury: Here’s What To Know