Book Title:

Workers’ Compensation Employee Medical Guide : How To Receive Appropriate Treatment Under Any Workers Compensation System in the United States. (Paperback)
by David F. Scaccia

Editorial Reviews:

Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1 Workers’ Compensation Law Review
  • Chapter 2 Workers’ Compensation Case Review
  • Chapter 3 Work-Relatedness
  • Chapter 4 Notifying Your Employer and Filing Your Claim
  • Chapter 5 Managed Medical Care
  • Chapter 6 The Independent Medical Exam
  • Chapter 7 Medical Records
  • Chapter 8 Emotional Support During Your Recovery
  • Chapter 9 Returning to Work
  • Chapter 10 Special Topic:The Role of Labor Unions
  • Chapter 11 Special Topic:Obtaining Legal Counsel
  • Chapter 12 Special Topic:Receiving Comp Outside the WC System
  • Glossary
  • Resources: Book/Website
  • Index
  • Ordering Information

Book Description

This no-nonsense guidebook was written specifically for workers from the perspective of an experienced occupational medicine physician.

The book is unique in the fact that there is currently no other book on the market that covers all of the important medical issues of workers’ compensation in such a comprehensive fashion.

Workers will learn:

  • The basics of workers’ compensation law and when to seek legal counsel.
  • How workers’ compensation determines work-relatedness.
  • How to deal with managed health care.
  • How to prepare for the Independent Medical Exam.
  • How to access personal health and safety records.
  • How to get assistance from local and national affiliation labor unions.
  • How be protected when returning to work.
  • When to seek compensation outside of the workers’ compensation system.

This book gives workers the knowledge that they need in order to receive the most appropriate treatment for their work-related injuries and illnesses.

From the Author

Each year, millions of work days are lost and billions of dollars are spent on workers’ compensation costs.

Throughout my years of practice as an occupational medicine physician, I have noticed that a significant percentage of workers experience problems concerning the medical issues involved in the workers’ compensation system. Understandably, they can become very frustrated. I have also seen how a knowledgeable and caring physician can help to guide them through the complex medical issues involved in this sometimes “difficult” system. Legal counsel is also often required in what is supposed to be a “no-fault” system.

I have personally counseled thousands of workers regarding their workers’ compensation medical issues and have found that many of the same questions continue to arise. I searched for an “easy to understand” book written from the perspective of an occupational medicine physician that I could recommend to them. To my surprise, I was unable to find one that sufficiently covered all of the important areas that may be of concern in any type of injury or illness. Because of this, I decided to write one myself. I wanted to use a clear conversational style, as if I were counseling one of my patients.

The medical issues that are involved in workers’ compensation cases are very similar throughout the various systems. An occupational medicine physician would have little difficulty adapting his or her practice to the various state and federal systems. Workers’ compensation laws, on the other hand, tend to vary more from system to system.

Throughout this book, I have “touched on” only the very basic concepts of workers’ compensation laws that are found in most systems. I am not an attorney and don’t pretend to be. Always seek appropriate legal counsel when necessary. In the back of this book, I have included many resources that I feel may be of some value to you. Reference is made to a particularly good legal guidebook written specifically for the injured worker. Take Charge of your Workers’ Compensation Claim. An A to Z Guide for Injured Employees, by Attorney Christopher A. Ball, is published by Nolo Press (1998). Although written for the California worker, it contains a vast amount of excellent general information. I would highly recommend it.

Best of luck on your “journey of knowledge.”

D.F.S.

About the Author

David F. Scaccia, D.O., M.P.H., received his bachelor degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut, medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Master of Public Health degree in Occupational Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is also a U.S. Naval Flight Surgeon graduate of the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute and NASA Flight Surgeon Training Course.

Dr. Scaccia (pronounced “SKASH-sha”) is board certified in occupational medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and board certified in family practice by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. With more than fifteen years of experience, including the directing of occupational and aerospace medicine for major US industry, Dr. Scaccia has personally treated thousands of work-related injuries and illnesses.