The Verdict

Work-Comp For Doctors!

• Weekly Death Toll in the Workplace
• How to get paid when horseplay is a part of the history for a workers’ comp injury.

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I fell at work and had rotator cuff repair and was told by the Dr. if I injured it again it would not be repairable and then instructed to return to work the next day for light duty. The hospital told me I could take my PTO time for two weeks as they thought this was unreasonable instruction. What should I do? This happens a lot with this Doctor's office I feel this is unfair.

A:

Doctors need to appreciate how many times we lawyers get this kind of question from injured people that are their patients. What the employer is doing is unfair. How the doctor can help us avoid the aggravation for everyone is simple. The doctor's work release must be in writing to avoid this kind of misinterpretation by the employer. If the doctors would always put their work release limitations in writing it would help everyone. Otherwise we send the patient, our client, back to the doctor and ask for his work limitation instructions to be written out. This is a good question and I'm going to post it on my law firm website. If any doctor has a question call me, I'll answer your question. Keep up the good work.

Lombardi Law Firm
1300 37th Street, Suite 6
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-222-1110
Toll Free: 800-383-0331
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