Do I Have to See the Company Doctor?

It is an unfortunate, but in many cases, your employer may pressure you into thinking that you are required to be seen by a company doctor following a serious offshore accident. This is simply untrue. Maritime law gives you the full right to go to a doctor of your own choosing—and in almost all cases, going to your own doctor is in your best interests.

There are many reasons that you should not go to a company-selected doctor:

• A company doctor might be more invested in the company's best interests than yours.
• A company doctor will only perform the specific treatments paid for by the company, which could leave you without necessary tests (such as MRIs) following a serious accident.
• Maintenance and cure will only be paid until your treating physician states you are at "maximum cure," which could be much sooner than necessary if your company is in control of the treatment instead of your doctor

Choose Your Own Doctor & Protect Your Best Interests

At the end of the day, the law gives you the right to choose your own doctor following an offshore accident, and it is in your best interests to do so. By working with a doctor of your own choosing, you can make sure that you are comfortable with them, that the proper tests are being performed, and that your best interests and health are being completely cared for. If you have questions about choosing your doctor for a maritime injury or if you are confused about some of the applicable maritime laws, we encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible.