[Bitter]

I hurt my back at work in the mid 90's. Went to the workers comp doctor was given pills and sent home for two weeks until pain was better and never got a diagnosis. Recently I woke up on Sat. morning made coffee went to store, by the time I got to the store I could hardly walk, went back home and ended up going to the hospital, they gave me pain shots and sent me home. I followed up with my doctor on Mon. he reccomended a mri which I had done. I was then referred to a neourosurgeon. During all of these tests and appointments work has been filing a work comp claim. Now workers comp wants me to go to another doctor of theirs. Is this right? What if he comes up with a differnt diagnosis? Do I have to go to another doctor since they have already started a claim? Please help

[aaron]

Under Iowa workers compensation law, the employer normally chooses the doctor through whom workers' compensation benefits are delivered.

It may be that the agency is more interested in what could be deemed an "IME" or "Independent Medical Examination" - where their doctor reviews your situation and issues an opinion as to whether or not your injury is work-related (or subject to benefits) - as opposed to providing treatment.

You may benefit from discussing your situation with an Iowa workers' compensation lawyer in advance of the examination.