Can I choose my treating physician?

Yes, you have the right to choose your treating health care provider. But, you must choose wisely because once you choose a treating physician, it becomes difficult to switch. As such, you also have to be careful about continuing treatment with the employer-recommended physician. The employer’s physician will be deemed to have been “selected” by you as your primary treating physician if you continue to treat with him or her. 

If you sustain an injury in the course and scope of your employment in the state of Minnesota, you have certain rights under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act. Here is a very basic, step-by-step checklist to follow after an injury to ensure your rights are protected.

When do I have to submit to an IPE?

An independent psychological evaluation (IPE) may be required for mental disability claims. Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, only certain mental disorders are compensable. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined by Minn. Stat. 176.11, subd. 15 as the condition described in the most recently published addition of the DSM-V. See article entitled Cumulative Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Police Officers for a full description. PTSD is not compensable if it is the result of a disciplinary action, such as a work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, etc.

If you have sustained an injury in the line of duty, you may be entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of benefits. There are several types of benefits available to Minnesota’s first responders who have been injured in the line of duty, depending on the individual circumstances of the case. It can be complicated to coordinate all the different types of benefits to ensure you are maximizing your financial recovery. Working with an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law is in your best interest.