Workers Compensation
Medical Expenses
Section 8(a) of the Illinois workers compensation act governs the payment of causally related reasonable and necessary medical expenses. This benefit allows the injured worker to seek treatment from two doctors independent of any referrals from one another as well as doctors or therapists in the chain of referral from these two doctors. The treatment must be reasonable and necessary and aid in the injured workers recovery. It cannot be excessive or unrelated to the injured workers injury. New amendments to the Act give the employer 30 days to respond to a written demand for payment of medical bills by the injured worker or his attorney. The injured worker should conduct a thorough investigation to determine if any unpaid charges remain once his or her treatment is completed. Failure to do so could lead to unpaid bills arising months or years following the settlement or trial of a claim. If this is the case the injured worker could find himself/herself liable for these charges. Leonard Law Group will conduct a thorough search with all providers to make sure all charges are paid prior to settlement of your claim. Please note, with the amendments to the Illinois workers compensation act that took effect June 28, 2011, the employee no longer has two choices of medical providers if the employer has a preferred provider program in place on the date of the employees injury.