A recent report showed that injured workers in the state of Texas have improved access to physicians who can treat them more quickly. The study compared studies performed in 2015 and 2000. They found that 84% of workers who were injured on the job received care in the first seven days after their injury, as opposed to 76% fifteen years ago.
This ready access means a lot to workers and employers. The key being that this means that workers are seeing a better chance of returning to work more quickly. This also means that the effectiveness of workers’ compensation is improving for those injured on the job.
Another reason for the increase in access and effectiveness was found to be an increase in the number of physicians around the state of Texas who were able to provide the necessary help for injured workers. The study noted a 26% decrease in the amount of patients each doctor treated over the fifteen-year span. This means that injured workers have more choices when it comes to treating doctors.
In short, if you’ve been injured on the job and have filed a workers’ compensation claim, the available doctors are more qualified and more abundant today than they were in 2000.
Click the link to read the study: Access to Medical Care in the Texas Workers’ Compensation System, 2000–2015
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice. Best DOL Doctors is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or OWCP. See our editorial policy.