California Question

[chrischris]

If I/W is under doctor's order not to drive due to a covered injury, and cannot find other transportation, does I/C have to provide transportation to/from all medical appts., including non W/C dr. appts.?

Thnaks in advance.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

CC, that's a good question. Even a good question for any State. I have no clue to the proper answer, but my opinion is, it might very well be a issue of 1 on 1 cases. Or a Hearing Officer to make that a legal call.

[1171]

there are two answers. legally mileage is the only transportation expense provided by the labor code.
As a practical matter it maybe more advantageous for the carrier to provide cab or airfare or even specialized van service. It depends on the situation.

[chrischris]

I would think "logically" because my WC Injury prevents me from driving, that the IC would need to provide all other necessary transportation, especially for medical appts. but I couldn't find a LC for it. A request with a list of my appts. was submited to defense to I'll let you know what they say.

1171, have you ever had such a request?

Thanks

[1171]

many times.
car problems; other health problems; etc.
california work comp law only allows it to be paid as a medical expense so it's limited to that purpose. For such special medical situiations I had a local cab company bill me.

most wanted the mileage so had friends and family drive them to apts.
if i was dealing with catastrophic/permanent injuries the better option was purchasing a vehicle with handicapped controls.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

CC, just an opinion and possible idea. I had seen the IC's pay for a health center, or fitness club, life time memberships for injured workers. But it also in some cases took the hearing officer to agree to the terms to help the injured worker when the IC wouldn't help out. It's my opinion in your case if mileage pay isn't going to work for you, ask them to then supply the alternate. If that fails, request a hearing, but as you may know, you have to try all avenues first.

[chrischris]

Yes, I've lost my sources of transportation for the next several weeks, for various reasons, and had no alterntive but to ask for help from W/C. I hope they see it as a need, and not just a foolish I/W request. My closest dr. appt. is 44 miles R/T, but the majority of them are 74 miles R/T. The majority are also on dr. visits on my denied psyche claim, which is pending an AME appt.

Thanks again.

[1171]

request transportation from them and give them a chance. If they decline, keep a record and include reimbursement for such costs in any settlement negotiations later.
you can probably get something one way or another.

[Babebahn]

Chris,
I was told by my adjuster, if for some reason I didn't have any mode of transportation to/from an appt, IC will provide one if I give them enough notice. My atty also told me the same thing.

[rholmes]

So far I have been blessed and had my own transportation. But I have heard from several other employees that my jobs i/c does provide transportation for your work related injuries to the doctor if you don't have it not sure about if you can't drive at all and nonwork related injuries. Some say they were even sent limos. Good luck