Workers Compensation Attorney?
I went in today and hired an attorney to represent me. I don’t have a final decision on my disability rating. I have to go back in to see the QME in July. The attorney assured me that I won’t have to change my change my QME doctor since I am happy with my report. He stated since I already have my report prior to hiring him by law I can keep that QME doctor. Can anyone verify if this information is correct? I do not want to change over to an AME provider.
Listen, you just went and hired an attorney to give you professional, legal advice in your state, and you don’t TRUST the advice you’re being given? Fire the attorney, and hire someone you trust.
I’m wondering too why you would choose to rely on a message board
to verify what your atty told you.. frankly, that is about as dumb
as dumb can be. Apparently you are in Calif… only state that uses
“AME”… Agreed Medical Evaluator. Since you did have a Panel QME
prior to the atty, that would normally be the Dr who continues to
resolve disputed medical issues. HOWEVER… If there were to be a
disputed issue outside this Dr field of expertise, you could see a
new PQME or an AME… so, your atty is only partially correct. It’s
not as simple as answering a WC question with a ‘yes/no’ response.
And it’s never a good idea to second guess your attorney. Stop it
or represent yourself. Further more… there is no provider/patient
relationship between you and the PQME/AME… they are used solely
to resolve disputed medical issues, these evaluations are part of
the litigation process in WC.