The Workers’ Compensation Act provides that an employer must provide medical care to an injured worker which is likely to “effect a cure, give relief, or restore the employee to suitable employment.” O.C.G.A. 34-9-200(a).
While providing medical benefits to the employee for a work-related injury, the employer may request examinations for the employee “at reasonable times.” This means that the employee may receive numerous notices the various appointments have been set up. These appointments can, at times seem quite inconvenient. At times the employee may not wish to appear for all of the scheduled appointments.
Failure to appear for an appointment or to cooperate with an examination can have some serious consequences. The employer, upon learning that an employee has failed to appear for an appointment can petition the Court to have the employee’s benefits suspended until such time as the employee ceases refusal of the treatment. If the Court grants the petition, the employee cannot recover any missed payments during the period of refusal of treatment. Therefore, as inconvenient as it may be, it is almost always a good idea to appear for and cooperate with any medical treatment scheduled by the employer.