Company Doctors

A “company doctor” is a doctor that is chosen by an employer or insurance company to protect their interests.  Companies typically have a very short list or only a single doctor that they use for injured workers.  Many company doctors are chosen because of the doctor's bias against injured workers or their desire to get repeat business from the employers and insurance companies.  Employers and insurance companies increase their profit when they reduce the amount paid to injured workers.  Company doctors who are selected and paid by the employer or insurance company have a built-in conflict of interest and injured workers should refuse to see a company doctor unless there is no other choice. In this later situation the worker should take steps to change to another doctor as soon as possible.  Workers should contact a reputable maritime lawyer to help them choose a doctor who is not a “hired gun” for the employer or insurance carrier.  Do not continue seeing a company doctor or you will risk making him your choice.

Company doctors usually return a worker to regular duty quickly with little or no restrictions in order to limit the employer's lost profit.  When a worker is not working he is not making money for the company.  When a worker is off work and receiving maintenance and cure it costs the company even more.  The biggest cost to the employer, however, is when they must pay a large settlement to the worker for future medical needs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, disability, etc. 

Since these worker benefits are directly tied to how much a company profits, it's easy to see why they want to choose the doctor.  A doctor's opinion has everything to do which how much a claim is worth in terms of dollars and cents. 

Part of a maritime lawyer’s job is to offset the harm caused by company doctors but the worker should not help create a situation that will hurt his claim or his health.  Hiring a maritime attorney at the beginning of a claim will help to assure that you will receive the best medical treatment and prevent costly mistakes.

It is not uncommon for company representatives or insurance company adjusters to threaten termination of benefits if a worker refuses to see their doctor.  This is illegal.  There are a few instances where injured workers may be required to see the company’s doctor but only by court order and only for evaluation purposes. 

Do not wait until the company doctor releases you to return to work or reports that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).  If you play along with the company doctor too long he can cut off your maintenance.