While doctors are accustomed to dealing with paperwork associated with injuries, you have to ask for documentation specifically for the insurance company.

Get it in writing

The documentation can be a letter, a memo, a note, or what is sometimes referred to as a disability letter or slip. Remember that an insurance company always requires documentation for their files. Whatever you call it, the paperwork must-at a minimum-include:

• The doctor’s name, address, phone, and medical licenses number


• The “from” and “to” dates that you will be out of work or have work restrictions

Make sure the documentation is complete

With the demands and time pressures of running a practice, a doctor may prepare documentation as quickly as possible. That could result in insufficient information, which may not support your case as well as it could. Call our office before your doctor’s appointment if you have any questions about what information should be covered.

What if you are self-employed?

Even if you are your own boss, you must still get any decision in writing from a doctor about injuries, work restrictions, or disability.

Documentation from the employer

In addition to the paperwork from the doctor, you must also get documentation from your employer to verify that you missed work on specific dates.

Who can figure out the impact on my earnings?

In cases that result in substantial wage loss, there must be additional documentation.

For example, you might require a physical capacity evaluation from a vocational rehabilitation counselor. That is an expert who figures out what you can do in the future based on the jobs you did in the past, your education, and experience. They identify any needs for retraining – which costs time and money – and even then, you might earn less than before.

You might also require the services of an economist to identify future loss of earnings.

Paperwork can be overwhelming – we can help

Taking care of all this paperwork can become an overwhelming task, especially when you are dealing with injuries.

Our office is familiar with all the nuances of documentation, with years of experience dealing with paperwork for lost income. We can help. Call today with any questions you might have.