When someone’s dealing with a work injury in Florida, it’s tough enough without second-guessing the doctor’s take on things. Maybe the diagnosis feels too light for the pain you’re in, or the suggested treatment doesn’t match what you’ve read or heard from others. It’s completely normal to want another perspective, and luckily, Florida’s workers’ compensation rules give some room to make that happen. Places like Ask Law – Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman have seen this play out countless times, using their decades of experience to help folks challenge diagnoses and get the care they truly need from insurance companies.
Under Florida law, you don’t have free rein to shop around for doctors endlessly, but there’s a solid option: requesting a one-time switch to a different treating physician. This acts like a built-in second opinion, letting a fresh set of eyes review your case. Say the first doc downplays a back injury from a slip at work—the new one might spot something missed, leading to better treatment or stronger evidence for your claim. The catch? The insurance carrier usually picks the replacement, so it’s smart to handle this carefully to avoid more frustration.
Timing is everything here, as putting it off can mess with your whole claim. You need to ask in writing, and the insurer has just five days to line up a new doctor. If they drag their feet, you could even choose your own, which is a big win for getting care that feels right. This is where having a personal injury lawyer in your corner shines—they can guide the request, spot any insurer tricks, and keep things moving toward fair compensation.
Here are some practical steps to take if you’re thinking about that second opinion in a workers’ comp situation:
- Jot down your concerns – Write out why the diagnosis doesn’t add up, like symptoms that keep worsening or tests that seem incomplete.
- Make it official – Send a written request to the insurance company right away to kick off the change.
- Watch the clock – They get five days to respond; no answer means you might pick the doctor yourself.
- Collect your records – Pull together all medical notes and reports to share with the new physician.
- Get expert advice – Talk to a lawyer early to make sure this step boosts your case without any hiccups.
If things still don’t line up after the switch, an Independent Medical Examination could come into play—a neutral doc steps in to sort out disagreements. Insurers might push for this, but it’s also a tool to fight back against denied treatments or undervalued injuries. The attorneys at Ask Law – Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman, with almost 30 years of fighting these battles in Florida courts, know how to turn these exams into advantages, handling everything from medical choices to litigation so no one goes it alone.
At the heart of it, questioning a diagnosis is about trusting your gut and protecting your recovery—it’s not being difficult, it’s being smart. Strong cases lead to real help, like covering lost pay and ongoing care, turning a rough patch into something manageable.
Doubting your doctor’s call on a work injury? Let’s chat—drop an email to info@asklaw.org, give 954-838-8300 a ring, or swing by asklaw.org to team up with a caring personal injury lawyer at Ask Law – Asnis Srebnick & Kaufman and sort out your second opinion options without delay.
