Injured workers are
entitled to care that is medically necessary based on the nature of
the injury or process of recovery. This entitlement includes not
only remedial care and attention, but also care that mitigates the
condition or affects the injury. Diagnostic procedures to determine
the cause of the claimant's symptoms are also compensable even if
the cause ultimately is found not to be related to the industrial
accident. The injured worker is also entitled to medicines, medical
supplies, medical equipment, orthoses, prostheses and other
medically necessary apparatus. Also, the injured worker is entitled
to be reimbursed for reasonable and actual cost of transportation to
and from places of treatment.
Severe injuries may require
extra ordinary medical benefits, including specially equipped mobile
home, rental housing, swimming pools and things of that
nature.
To assure medical
treatment, it is important that the employee properly seek medical
treatment when and as needed. Not only will this protect the injured
worker's health but it will also establish a medical record of the
work injury and establish a record if there is a dispute concerning
the need for care and treatment and help in identifying whether the
injured worker should be paid for lost time
.
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