Video Transcript
Hey, it’s Bernard Nomberg with the Nomberg Law Firm. I wanted to talk to you about an important situation that comes up in almost every case that we have when someone is employed, they’re under a doctor’s care, and they have the paperwork from the doctor called the “return to work notice” or “return to work status.”
Why is that paper important and what do you do with it? That paper is supposed to go from your hands to your employer’s hands and it also should go to your lawyer. That paper should be the snapshot of what’s going on with your medical care and the doctor’s opinions about what you can and cannot be doing in the workplace.
Hopefully before the doctors fill that paperwork out, you’ve explained to him or her what type of job you do, the physical requirements of it and you’ve discussed with the doctor while you’re in there being evaluated and treated and examined your concerns about those things, how you’re feeling now, where you are in your medical care and whether you can do those things at the workplace.
One handy thing might be for you to write down all your questions before you go see the doctor because some people get nervous, so they forget about those things, but that paper is a very important document.
That paper needs to go to your lawyer so your lawyer will know how to protect your rights. That paper also goes to the employer so you stay in compliance with the requirements that the employer needs and that paper will end up with the workers’ comp adjuster as well because if you’re taking off of work or if the company cannot accommodate the return to work restrictions limitations, then weekly comp benefits may be due to you while you’re not at work.
If you have questions or concerns about those things, please give us a call. David and I can be reached at (205) 930-6900. nomberglaw.com is our website. We’re also on Facebook as well as Twitter (X). Thanks.
Resources:
When an injured person is undergoing medical care, it is very important to discuss with the doctor the current treatment plan and the doctor’s opinions about returning to work. The paperwork the doctor fills out addressing these issues must be taken from the appointment by the patient. The employer, your attorney and the insurance adjuster need this paper as it tells everyone currently what’s going on with medical care and employment status.
We have two other videos that go along with this topic:
- What to do when you are in the meeting with your doctor
- When it’s time to return to work after being injured on the job
If you have any questions or concerns about this issue or other issues on the law, please call the Nomberg Law Firm at 205-930-6900.