Workplace injuries are probably more common than you think. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, a job-related injury occurs roughly every seven seconds in the United States. Because a workplace injury may change your life forever, you must be certain you receive effective treatment.
If you sustain an on-the-job injury, your employer should provide you with a list of doctors you may see. Unfortunately, the physician who normally treats you is not likely to be on this list. Because it can be difficult to talk to a doctor you do not know, you should have a plan for getting the most out of your doctor-patient relationship. Here are three tips:
- Go to every appointment on time
Attending your medical appointments is not only courteous to health care professionals, but it may also be vital to your workers’ compensation claim. That is, if you fail to show up, the doctor may document your absence. A record of missed appointments reflects poorly on your credibility. Accordingly, if you cannot make an appointment, be sure to reschedule in advance.
- Be open and honest
While you likely want to receive reasonable compensation for your workplace injury, you also want to obtain good medical care. Therefore, you should be open and honest with your doctor. This includes describing the workplace accident, your symptoms, and your medical history. Also, explain to the doctor any injury-related problems you encounter, such as difficulty seeing specialists, performing everyday tasks, or navigating the workers’ compensation process.
- Bring up ongoing concerns
You may not recover quickly from your job-related injury. Furthermore, you may have new symptoms appear during the recovery process. Either way, you should always address ongoing concerns with your doctor. Keeping a journal about your experience may be helpful.
If you have suffered an on-the-job injury, Georgia law probably allows you to seek financial compensation. Still, you do not want your interactions with your doctor to harm either your health or your workers’ compensation claim. Knowing how to talk to your doctor boosts your odds of recovering completely.