If you’ve been injured at work, you may have received a Notice of Rights and Duties from your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company. While it might look like just another piece of paperwork, understanding this notice is crucial to protecting your rights and your benefits.
What Is a Notice of Rights and Duties?
The Notice of Rights and Duties is a legal document that explains:
- Your right to medical treatment and wage-loss benefits
- The steps you must take to maintain your claim
- Important deadlines for filing forms, reports, or appeals
- The role of authorized medical providers (often called “on-panel” doctors)
It’s essentially a roadmap for navigating your workers’ compensation claim. Ignoring it, or misunderstanding it, can lead to delays, denied benefits, or even losing your claim.
Why Medical Compliance Matters
Many workers wonder: “Can I choose my own doctor?” In most cases, your employer or insurance company will provide a list of authorized, or on-panel, medical providers. Seeing an on-panel doctor is important because:
- Your treatment is covered by workers’ compensation insurance
- Missed appointments or off-panel treatment could jeopardize your benefits
- Doctors’ reports guide decisions about your ability to return to work and any ongoing care you may need
What Happens If You Don’t Follow the Rules?
Failing to follow the treatment requirements outlined in your Notice of Rights and Duties can have serious consequences, such as:
- Denial of certain medical benefits
- Delays in receiving wage-loss compensation
- Increased legal hurdles to get the care or compensation you deserve
How to Protect Yourself
- Read your Notice carefully; don’t just file it away.
- Follow your assigned medical treatment plan unless a lawyer or claims administrator advises otherwise.
- Keep thorough records of appointments, treatments, and any communications with medical providers or your employer.
- Consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney if you have questions or if your benefits are in jeopardy.
At Stark Law Group LLC, we help injured workers understand their rights and navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation claims. Knowing your rights and following your treatment plan can make a big difference in protecting your health and your benefits.