By Darwin F. Johnson on March 23rd, 2020 in Savannah Worker's Comp, Workers Compensation
If you were injured at work and are unable to drive yourself to the doctor, you might be wondering, “how do I get my insurance to pay for transportation?”
In Georgia, insurance companies are generally held responsible for injured workers’ transportation costs. But it must first be determined why the worker is unfit to drive. It is up to the authorized treating physician to indicate if a patient is unable to drive themself and specify why. There are several reasons for a doctor to decide if a patient is able or unable to drive.
Does Your Injury Impair Your Ability to Drive?
If your workplace injury is impairing one of the physical or cognitive functions that are necessary to drive, your transportation costs should be covered. There are several Cognitive and Physical Functions related to driving, as determined by the State of Georgia.
Cognitive Functions Related to Driving
- Processing Speed
- Concentration
- Attention Span
- Reaction Time
- Visuospatial Judgment
- Ability to Generalize
Physical Functions Related to Driving:
- Range of Motion
- Muscle Strength
- Reaction Time
- Mobility Status
- Transfer Ability
- Sensation
- Visual Skills
If your injury affects any one of these functions, you should have your transportation covered by insurance. If your injury hasn’t been classified as a driving impairment, but you feel like you can’t drive, reach out to your authorized treating physician.
Does the Treatment You Need Impair Your Ability to Drive?
In some cases, the medical treatment or test you need for your work injury will impair your ability to reasonably drive yourself to and from the doctor. If you need a treatment like this, one that requires sedation, for example, then insurance should pay your transportation costs. Your doctor will tell you when making the appointment if you will need someone to drive you home.
It is quite common for work injuries to leave you unable to drive, and in these cases, an experienced workplace compensation lawyer can ensure that your employer and their insurance company will pay what you deserve. If you have been injured on the job and are concerned about your medical and/or transportation costs being handled fairly, don’t hesitate to reach out to our legal team at the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson. Just call 404-521-2667 today!
