I notified my employer of my accident and injury, how am I supposed to get my medical treatment?

As an injured worker, you have certain responsibilities under the Virginia Workers Compensation Act. The same is true of your employer. After your employer receives notice that you have been injured on the job, your employer should give you a list of three doctors. You are required to select one doctor from the list as your “treating physician”. If your employer fails to provide you with a list of three physicians, you can select your own doctor. Many times employers will try to take the injured worker to a clinic, or worse “the company doctor”. If you need emergency care, go to an emergency room.

Assuming that your Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim is accepted, or held compensable, your employer will be obligated to pay 100% of the cost of your reasonable and necessary medical treatment. It is your responsibility under the Virginia Workers Compensation act to cooperate fully with your medical treatment, which includes attending doctors visits and following your treating physician’s advice. Your workers compensation benefits can be suspended should you fail to fully cooperate with your medical treatment.