I have had a rash of clients lately who have scheduled (or undergone) surgeries without letting their attorney know. When an injured worker in Arizona undergoes a surgery that an insurance carrier may eventually be liable for, the carrier has a right to have the worker examined by a doctor before they undergo surgery. This is even so in denied cases. Remember that your injured body part is the evidence and you can’t alter the evidence (by undergoing surgery) without giving the other side a chance to examine it. It is generally accepted that an insurance carrier should be given at least 15 days’ notice prior to any surgery that they may have to pay for. If the worker fails to give adequate notice, the carrier may not be liable for payment for the surgery, although they would still have to pay for follow up care and compensation resulting from it.
If you have a work injury in Arizona, remember to keep your attorney, or the insurance carrier, up to date on any changes in your treatment or condition.
Chad T. Snow is an attorney in Arizona who practices exclusively in the area of workers compensation. He can be reached at his firm Snow, Carpio, and Weekley at (602) 532-0700 or on their website at www.workinjuryaz.com
