KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Georgia employers can strengthen their defense of Workers’ Compensation claims by establishing a strategically curated panel of physicians
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Employers have the authority to select panel physicians whose practices and philosophies align with the company’s objectives
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Employers must ensure the injured employees clearly understand the panel process and their rights within it
In Georgia workers’ compensation claims, the Panel of Physicians is the employer’s first line of defense after an accident. Maintaining control of medical from day one can make all the difference in how a claim unfolds. But if the panel is invalid, the injured employee can pick any doctor they want as their Authorized Treating Physician (ATP). That shift can significantly increase exposure for both medical and indemnity benefits and prolong the timeline for resolving the claim.
Employers have the right to select physicians who are aligned with their goals: providers who understand their business, routinely treat injured workers, and emphasize returning employees to work—on light duty or full duty—as soon as medically appropriate. The panel should be created thoughtfully and strategically, in collaboration with the employer’s carrier and workers’ compensation defense counsel. The employer is also obligated to ensure the injured employee understands the purpose of the panel and is assisted in making their selection—otherwise, the injured employee can potentially still avoid the panel.
Best Practices
- Posting the panel in multiple, high-visibility locations throughout the workplace
- Including a panel acknowledgment form with new hire paperwork
- Collecting signed panel acknowledgments from current employees
- Providing the panel again at the time of an injury, along with a form for the worker to confirm their selection of ATP and acknowledge their right to a one-time change
Handling Workers’ Compensation Matters in Georgia
