Why Nurse Case Managers Aren’t Your Friend

Silverman, McDonald & Friedman offers comprehensive representation to injured workers throughout Delaware. To learn more about our services, or to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Seaford, Wilmington or Newark, call us today.

Employers and their insurance carriers often hire nurse case managers for workers who need to see multiple doctors or need long-term care. The employers will tell you that the nurse managers are just trying to help you get the care you need. They’ll explain that they’re just accompanying you to the doctor’s office.

Don’t be fooled. A nurse case manager works for your employer, and his or her job is to get you to return to work as soon as possible – sometimes before you are ready. Nurse case managers are looking to see if you are missing any appointments or failing to take the doctor’s advice. Workers who don’t work to get better may lose their right to medical and wage-loss benefits.

How nurse managers can help

There are time when your nurse case manager can prove very helpful.  Good nurse case managers help injured workers:

• Schedule and keep medical appointments
• See the right specialists
• Get referrals to other doctors
• Get transportation to their physician’s office when needed

They are supposed to help keep your case on track, which helps you and your employer.

When nurse case managers can hurt injured workers

Nurse case managers help employers and hurt employees when they:

• Review your progress with the employer for the purpose of showing you failed to comply with your course of treatment. There are often legitimate reasons why you didn’t see a doctor or didn’t follow his/her recommendations.
• Pressure the doctor to say you’re ready to return to work
• Question the physician about your treatments
• Argue that the diagnosis that you can’t work is incorrect
• Pressure you to say you’re not really hurting
• Leave important details out of the report or over-edit what happened during the medical visit

Employees should also understand that employees have the right to be present when the physician and nurse case manager discuss your injuries and medical care. Both the doctor and nurse case manager are there to help you get better – not to help the insurance company deny or limit your work injury claim

Our Delaware work injury lawyers can explain your rights to you, and help you understand what a nurse case manager can and cannot do. For example, employees need to understand that the nurse case manager does not have the right to be present during the medical exam/consultation. The manager can take you to and from the doctor’s office and review your condition with the doctor. The examination though should be between just you and your physician, so that you feel free to state all your pains and concerns.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our workers’ compensation lawyers have been helping Delaware work injury victims for more than 30 years. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience.  We have offices in Seaford, Wilmington and Newark. To discuss your claim, please call us 302-888-2900 or complete our contact form