Will Worker's Compensation Pay For Doctor's Such As A Chiropractor?

[Medic99011003]

I work as an EMT with a private ambulance service. My question pertains to Workman's Compensation Benefits for Alabama.

I was recently injured on the job and followed all company policies with regards to reporting injuries to the shift supervisor. The supervisor failed to document the injury as stated in the policy handbook. However my injury was documented by the Operations Manager although that was 2 days after the fact.

The type of injury I received was a back injury. I have yet to receive any medical care with regards to my injury and was informed by my company that IF I filed for for Workman's Compensation that I wouldn't receive much of anything with regards to my salary?

I believe that my injury is confined to my back as I was lifting and moving an rather large patient when the injury occured. I further believe that my injury is not a soft tissue or muscular injury but moreso an injury to a nerve or disc in my back and firmily believe that a chiropracter would be able to provide the necessary care for this injury.

So my question is: "Will Workman's Compensation pay for a Chiropracter without being referred by the company physician or must I have a referral from the company physican. I have never filed for Workman's Compensation Benefits. Any information anyone can provide will be most appreciated.

[aaron]

You should not expect to get any benefits at all unless you make a claim. Whether or not you would qualify for chiropractic care is going to depend upon your medical condition, which is something we are not in a position to assess.

[Medic99011003]

I have made a claim but the company has yet to have me see any medical provider. The comment made by the operations manager about "not receiving but about 60% of my salary" was moreso a tatic to try and prevent me from filing the claim.

[aaron]

As under Alabama workers comp law, the choice of physician belongs to the employer, it appears that's where you'll have to start.

[jess507]

I do not know the laws for Alabama but in Louisiana I was able to see a chiropractor just by requesting it from my wc case worker. Good Luck