Your work injury is certainly serious if the doctor tells you that you need surgery.
The first step is to let the Workers’ Compensation insurance company know that your doctor has recommended surgery and request that the insurance company pay for the surgery.
Most insurance companies will decide to send you to see one of their doctors to determine whether they agree with the surgery recommendation.
You should consult with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer immediately to discuss what this means for you and your case.
The doctor is not your doctor and will not be your treating doctor. She works for the insurance company. She may testify against you at trial. Anything you tell her may be used against you.
If the insurance company doctor says your condition is not related to the work injury, then you will have to go trial and have the Arbitrator decide between your doctor’s opinion and the insurance company doctor.
The insurance company may deny your surgery, however remember that you have options available to you and you do not have to take no for an answer.
The insurance companies have a large number of lawyers who are providing legal advice to them so make sure that you have an attorney on your side.
Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May to discuss how to get the most from your case.