The Alabama Workers' Compensation Act is expressly intended to provide medical benefits to injured workers. In order to begin to receive medical benefits, you should read about the first steps to take when you are injured. In order to be eligible for workers' compensation medical benefits, there are a few simple requirements:
If you have questions, you can read more about whether your injury will be covered under workers' compensation.
Alabama's Workers' Compensation Act recognizes that work-related injuries can be both physically and financially distressing. Consequently, the law mandates employers to provide comprehensive medical benefits to injured workers, ensuring they receive necessary medical care without any out-of-pocket expenses.
Full Coverage of Medical Expenses:
Your employer gets to choose your doctor. You do not get to consult your regular physician for medical treatment unless your employer approves. In fact, consulting medical treatment without approval of your employer may result in your employer not paying for the medical expense.
However, if you do not like the doctor, you can request a second opinion. There is a procedure required to request a second opinion, and you are only allowed to do it once, so it is a good idea to consult with an attorney before usuing that option. You are invited to contact me if you want to discuss your claim in further detail.
Medical benefits are provided for as long as is reasonably necessary to treat the work-related injury. At some point, however, you reach a point where your condition has improved as much as it is going to improve. This does not always mean you are healed, but that your condition has plateaud. Your Authorized Treating Physician will determine that you have reached a point of Maximum Medical Improvement, which is commonly referred to as "MMI."
Once you reach MMI, it is common, but not mandatory, that your Authorized Treating Physician will order a test to evaluate the extent of your permanent injuries. This test is known as a Functional Capacity Evaluation, or "FCE", and is commonly conducted at a physical therapy facility. Whether your injury and treatment requires an FCE is determined by your Authorized Treating Physician.
Regardless, there is no limit to the duration of your medical benefits. They last for as long as you require treatment unless you choose to close that right as part of your settlement.
Mileage Reimbursement
Travel Costs: Injured workers in Alabama are entitled to be reimbursed for the mileage accrued when traveling to and from medical appointments related to their work injury.
Future Medical Treatment
Long-term Care: In situations where an injury requires long-term care or periodic check-ups, the employer is responsible for these future medical treatments as long as they are related to the work injury.
Rehabilitation Services
Physical Therapy & More: Beyond immediate medical treatment, injured workers may also be entitled to rehabilitation services. This can include physical therapy, vocational training, or other services that help the injured worker recover and potentially return to work.
Medical Benefit Disputes
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While the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act is designed to protect workers, understanding and accessing these benefits can sometimes be daunting.
Medical benefits under the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act serve as a lifeline for injured workers, ensuring they receive the care they need without the burden of medical bills. By understanding these benefits and knowing when to seek legal assistance, workers can focus on what truly matters: healing and recovery.
Employer's Appeal Denied Over Continued Medical Benefits for Injured Employee
Appellate Court Reverses Order Directing Employer to Provide Pain Management Treatment
Employer is Obligated to Cover Treatment from a Specialist Referred by the Employee's Chosen Doctor
Employer's Appeal Over Termination of Medical Benefits Denied; Lack of Detailed Findings Results in Reversal and Remand
Staph Infection Work-Related, Benefits Awarded
Court Holds Augmentation, Inc. in Contempt over Medical Benefits, Augmentation Appeals.
Court Orders Vacating of Mandate Requiring Sears to Approve Medical Treatment for Employee Due to Absence of Evidentiary Hearing on Injury Compensability.
Court Dismisses Employer's Petition Seeking to Avoid Providing Panel of Physicians for Work-Related Injury
Appeal Dismissed Due to Nonfinal Judgment on Worker's Compensation Case
Employee Appeals Over Denial of Physician Selection Rights Under Alabama Workers' Compensation Act
Court Rules in Favor of Employee's Compensation for Erectile Dysfunction Medication Stemming from Work-Related Injury
Fairhope Health & Rehab Challenges Compensation for Employee's Knee Replacement Due to Preexisting Condition
Breach of Contract Claim Relating to a Disputed Settlement Agreement for Future Medical Benefits.
Court Upholds Ruling for Employer to Provide Surgery for Injured Workers' Work-Related Injuries
Sheriff Appeals Court's Expansion of Medical Expense Liability Beyond Initial Agreement
Defendant's Appeal Dismissed: Cannot Appeal a Non-Final Judgment
All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.
During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:
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