What to Expect at a Workers’ Comp Independent Medical Examination in Connecticut

If you are injured on the job in Connecticut, you are likely eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. A medical examination will be a crucial part of your eligibility screening, and it’s important to know what to expect at a workers’ comp independent medical examination in Connecticut. The results of this exam will be a major point of consideration in the insurance company’s determination of your benefits.

What to Expect at a Workers’ Comp Independent Medical Examination in Connecticut

Virtually every private industry employer in Connecticut is required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance applies to most regular employees who are hurt at work or develop work-related illnesses. If you suffer any injury on the job, or if you are diagnosed with a medical condition you believe is directly related to your work, then you are likely eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 35,700 reports of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses from private industry employers throughout Connecticut in 2022, and about 23,400 of these were classified as severe. This means they resulted in job transfers, duty restrictions, or missed days of work.

After you report your injury to your employer, they must provide you with the forms you need to submit your workers’ compensation claim to their insurance carrier. However, a prerequisite for filing your claim will be to undergo an independent medical examination, which will be conducted by a local physician approved by your employer’s insurance company.

It’s important to remember that this appointment is not for treatment. The medical examiner you see will evaluate your injury and the scope of its effects to assign you a disability rating. This rating is a numerical value indicating how much the injury negatively affects your ability to work in the future. Generally, a higher disability rating will mean greater benefits. A New London workers’ compensation lawyer can verify that your examination was conducted correctly.

The physician you see will want to review your medical history and the treatment records for your work injury. If you are hurt on the job in a traumatic accident, you can see any available doctor for emergency medical care, but once your condition is stable, you will need to see a workers’ compensation doctor for your independent medical examination at your first opportunity.

How Your Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

The independent medical examination after your injury is a relatively straightforward process, but you could encounter unexpected complications that you will not be able to resolve on your own. It is possible that the workers’ compensation doctor you visit will deliver a report that conflicts with your own doctor’s findings. Your attorney may be able to help you arrange for a second opinion, or you may need to schedule a hearing to accurately determine your rating.

The Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission handles these hearings, and if you must schedule one, your Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney can help you prepare accordingly, gathering all of the medical records and other evidence you will need to prove the true severity of the injury you suffered.

Since your disability rating is one of the most important determining factors when it comes to the amount of benefits you can receive, it is crucial to have legal counsel you can trust advising you. You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer at your first opportunity after your injury, and they can guide you through the proceedings ahead. Reach out to Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to learn more about our team’s experience with workers’ compensation claims in Connecticut.

FAQs

When Should I Schedule My Independent Medical Examination for a Work Injury?

Ideally, you should schedule your independent medical examination for a work injury as soon as possible. Your employer’s insurance carrier should provide you with a list of approved local physicians you can visit to have this examination completed. Remember that this appointment is not for treatment; the examiner you visit is tasked with assessing the severity of your condition and assigning you a disability rating.

How Much Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

The amount you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits will depend on the level of medical treatment your injury requires and whether you retain the functional capacity to work after the accident. A successful workers’ compensation claim will cover all medical expenses for your injury, including future rehabilitative treatment costs, and you will receive disability benefits based on your remaining capacity to work.

Can I Sue My Employer for a Work Injury in Connecticut?

No, you cannot sue your employer for a work injury in Connecticut unless they do not have workers’ compensation insurance or they intentionally caused your injury. A New London personal injury lawyer can, however, help you file a third-party personal injury case if anyone outside of your work was directly responsible for injuring you. This case could enable you to recover pain and suffering compensation and other losses not covered by workers’ comp.

What Should I Do During an Independent Medical Examination?

The most important thing for you to do during an independent medical examination is to be as honest as possible in answering the examiner’s questions. Making light of your injuries or framing your experience as less severe than it truly is could result in a lower disability rating than you rightfully should have, and if you attempt to make your injuries seem worse to get a higher rating, you could face allegations of workers’ compensation fraud.

Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to have a better chance of resolving your case as efficiently as possible and obtaining a suitable determination of benefits. Your attorney can guide you through the filing process and resolve any issues you have with the independent medical examination. They can also address any problems you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier.

The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has years of proven experience handling a wide range of complex work injury claims for clients in New London and throughout the state, and it’s vital to know what to expect at a workers’ comp independent medical examination in Connecticut. If you have questions about your claim, contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney.