Most workers assume they can just go to their personal doctor after a work injury. However, there are rules and regulations you must adhere to in California. Seeking treatment from an unapproved doctor can create unnecessary complications or even jeopardize your benefits.

Understanding how the system works is crucial to protecting your rights after a workplace accident. Here’s what you need to know.

The law in California

You can go straight to your personal doctor from day one if you have completed and submitted a pre-designation form to your employer before the work injury occurs. This form allows your personal doctor to serve as your primary care physician for workers’ compensation purposes.

To qualify, your pre-designated doctor must:

Have treated you before and have an existing doctor-patient relationship with you
Agree to treat you for work-related injuries
Have access to your medical records

Otherwise, if you didn’t pre-designate, your employer or their insurance controls your care for the first 30 days. This means you must seek treatment from a doctor in their Medical Provider Network (MPN) or approved list. After 30 days, you can generally switch to a doctor of your choice, even if they are outside the MPN, but rules and paperwork still apply.

Do everything right to protect your claim

While there are exceptions where you can see your own doctor without pre-designation, such as emergencies or if your employer has an MPN but doesn’t properly notify you, these situations are limited. In most cases, you need to follow the rules for choosing a doctor.

Seeking early legal guidance after a workplace accident in California can help ensure your rights are protected, your treatment is timely and your claim stays on track while you focus on getting better.

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