One of the most common questions that arises with Oklahoma worker's compensation claims involves the identity of the party or parties responsible for the medical expenses that arise when an injury occurs.  The most common and concise answer to that question is that the employer is required by law to cover these workers' comp expenses, but there are situations that can arise that lead to questions in this regard.  Below is a brief look at a few of these common situations.

Employer Does Not Choose a Physician in a Timely Manner

Generally, it's expected that the employer will provide the injured workers with the name and contact information of the initial treating physician within a 'timely manner.'  If the employer fails to do so, the injured worker is allowed to choose his or her own physician to obtain the initial treatment that's necessary.  However, some situations involve the employer claiming that the employee did not provide enough time for the employer to make this choice, thereby leading to a challenge on the payment for these medical expenses.

Pre-existing Conditions

If the employer's chosen physician treats the injured worker and finds that he or she has a pre-existing condition that's the main cause of the injury that was suffered at work, it can lead to a difficult situation for the worker.  He or she could be denied insurance benefits and be expected to return to work at the risk of losing the job.  Pre-existing conditions or even conditions involving multiple injuries can lead to a high amount of confusion and stress for the injured worker.

Ultimately, if you have been injured at work and are wondering how to proceed, you need to contact the Oklahoma workers' compensation lawyers at Atkins & Markoff to schedule an initial consultation.  Even if your claim is moving along smoothly, there is information the firm could provide that could help you, and having a team of workers' compensation attorneys on your side just in case something goes awry could help you recover without the challenges brought on by stress and uncertainty.  Contact the experienced Oklahoma workers' comp lawyers at Atkins and Markoff today.