- Conflicting Doctor’s Opinions: What to Do in a PA Workers’ Comp Dispute It’s a classic workers’ compensation dispute in Pennsylvania: the doctor hired by the insurance company says you’re ready to return to work, but your own treating physician believes you are still disabled. This conflicting medical opinion can put your benefits in jeopardy. This video will explain what to do when doctors disagree and how your attorney will use your doctor’s opinion to protect your claim.
- A Common Scenario: We’ll explain that this is a very common situation. The insurance company’s doctor, often a “company doctor” or an IME doctor, may have an incentive to get you back to work, while your own treating doctor is focused on your health and recovery.
- The Legal Battle of Experts: We’ll explain that this creates a legal battle of experts. The insurance company will try to use the report from their doctor to file a petition to stop or suspend your benefits. Your attorney’s job is to use your own doctor’s medical opinion to challenge that petition and maintain your benefits.
- The Importance of Your Treating Physician: We’ll highlight why your own doctor’s opinion is often given more weight by a Workers’ Compensation Judge. Your doctor has a longer history with you, has been treating your injury, and is typically seen as having a better understanding of your specific condition.
- Legal Strategy: We’ll explain how your attorney will use your doctor’s opinion. This may include:
- Obtaining a detailed report from your doctor.
- Taking a deposition (recorded testimony) of your doctor.
- Presenting this evidence to the Workers’ Compensation Judge.
This video is for any injured worker in Pennsylvania who has received conflicting medical opinions and is worried about losing their benefits.