Whether you’re hurt on land or at sea, it’s important that you have an opportunity to get the medical care and treatment you need. Many people worry that they won’t be able to see the medical providers they trust or that the providers they’re told to see won’t be on their side.
The truth is that Texas has some requirements for you, but you can usually see a doctor of your choice after your initial injury whether you’re hurt at sea or are injured in an accident on shore. You have a right to seek medical care after you’re hurt, so you can begin on the path to recovery and focus on your health. In most cases, your care should be covered, so you won’t have to pay anything.
Your emergency care can be with anyone
The thing to remember is that emergency care can be with anyone. If your company has a company doctor, they may suggest that you see this provider first if they’re on site. You may need to see them after you get emergency care elsewhere, as well, if your company requests that.
There should not be any reason why you’d face issues if you were to seek emergency care from your personal primary physician, and emergency medical facility or another health care facility or professional. If you run into problems with your employer, you may want to look into your legal options for seeking further care.
You deserve support if you’re injured on the job
Depending on how you were injured and if this is a maritime injury or one covered under Texas’s general workers’ compensation, you may need to see different medical providers for follow-up care after your initial injury. Who you can see may depend on your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage your benefits under the Jones Act and the network of providers covered. Before you choose a provider or go with one suggested to you, it may be valuable to talk to someone who understands how maritime law and workers’ compensation work in Texas, so you can be sure you’re getting the right care by people who have your best interests at heart.