Medical Attention

If you have an emergency or life-threatening injury, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away. Tell the medical staff that your injury or illness is job-related.  Make sure you notify your employer of your injury as soon as practicable.

If you do not need emergency treatment, make sure you get first aid and see a doctor, if necessary.  California Workers' Compensation only applies to injuries that are beyond first aid.  If it is beyond first aid, you should see a doctor as soon as practicable.  Tell the doctor all of the symptoms of pain or discomfort that you are experiencing.  Also tell the doctor that the pain or injuries are work-related.

Sometimes, employers have a network of doctors that they try to force you to treat with.  This network is referred to as a Medical Provider Network (MPN).  MPNs must give you an opportunity for second and third opinions from different medical providers if you disagree with the diagnosis or treatment offered by the treating physician. If you still disagree after the second and third opinions, you then may request an independent medical review (IMR).  MPNs only apply to injuries that are admitted by your employer or its insurance carrier.  

If your injury is denied by your employer and/or its insurance carrier, then you are free to treat with any medical provider.  

The nature and extent of medical treatment depends on the nature and extent of the injury involved.  There may be physical therapy sessions, prescription medications, injections, and/or surgery involved.
  
Once all of your medical treatment is finished, you will reach a state of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).  This is when your condition is well stabilized andunlikely to change substantially in the next year, with or without medical treatment.  Once you are MMI, the doctors can then determine your permanent disability.
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Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION!  If nothing else, we can at least try to tell you what you might be entitled to.

NOTICE:  Making a false or fraudulent workers’ compensation claim is a felony subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.