Types of Doctors Injured Workers See for Advice and Treatments

At Silverman, McDonald, & Friedman, our workers’ compensation lawyers are trusted advocates. If you need help making a claim for benefits, call us in Wilmington, Seaford or Newark to set up a free consultation time.

When a workplace accident happens, the injured worker normally goes to the local emergency room. Once he/she has received immediate treatment, the worker needs to see a general physician and often needs to see many different types of specialist.

Some of the doctors injured workers need to meet with include pain management doctors, orthopedists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrist, and other physicians. Workers also need to treat with many different types of physical therapists. Each doctor and each therapist provides a different type of service. Often, your general physician coordinates the different specialists you see.

Common types of work injury doctors

Most injured workers see one or more of the following types of doctors and healthcare providers:

• Neurosurgeons and neurologists. Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain and the nervous system. Neurosurgeons perform endoscopic microsurgery, traditional surgery, radiation treatments, and use other methods such as spinal cord stimulator implants to treat neurological conditions
• Orthopedists. These specialists treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system such as bone fractures, degenerative diseases, and other disorders. In laymen’s terms, they help mend broken fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, and other parts of the skeleton.
• Pain Management doctors. These doctors treat back, neck, and spinal cord images. Often, they use epidural injections to help treat pain. They also treat degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, and other disorders. Some pain doctors prescribe pain medications. Others do not prescribe medications other than standard medications such as anti-inflammatories.
• Psychiatrists and psychologists. These doctors are seen when workers are having emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications but psychologists cannot.
• Chiropractors. This is a healthcare provider who focuses on neuromuscular disorders. Chiropractors generally focus on the manipulation and adjustment of the spine.
• Physical therapists. These people are licensed health care professionals. They provide hands-on therapy and treatments to help patients restore function and minimize pain. They focus on fitness and mobility.
• Occupational therapists. An occupational therapist works with a patient by focusing on their daily activities. They help people recovering from an injury regain the ability to eat, sleep, walk, and function better.
• Vocational therapists. These therapists focus on helping workers be able to perform the job tasks they did at their old job or to acquire new skills to be able to work in a new job or a new career.

Other healthcare providers can include speech therapists and nutritionists. Many other health providers may be needed depending on the type of injury involved.

Employees with occupational illnesses usually treat with a specialist in their field. For example, someone with skin disorders will usually see a dermatologist. Someone with heart diseases will see a cardiologist.

Talk with a tough workers’ compensation advocate now

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our workers’ compensation lawyers work to help you treat with the right types of doctors for your injury or illness. We understand that many workers need months or even years of medical help before they can return to work. Many workers who return to work must take less demanding jobs. Many workers can never return to work. For clear guidance and strong advocacy, please contact us at 302-888-2900 or complete our contact form to make an appointment. We represent workers in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford.