If you’ve ever wondered why doctors seem to roll their eyes when workers’ comp cases come up, you’re not alone.

It’s not that they dislike helping injured workers – it’s just that dealing with workers’ comp can make their jobs a lot more complicated. It involves a lot of red tape, headaches, and delays.

And honestly, it just doesn’t feel worth the hassle sometimes.

In this post, we’ll go over 8 reasons why doctors hate workers’ comp.

#1 It Creates A Ton Of Paperwork

No one, not even doctors, likes dealing with endless forms.

But that’s what workers’ comp involves. For every single patient, there’s a mountain of documents to fill out. They need to submit reports about the injury, the treatment plan, progress notes, and sometimes even more.

On top of that, there’s a constant back-and-forth with insurance companies, lawyers, and other medical providers.

Imagine trying to get through your day while juggling all this extra administrative work. Doctors are already slammed with seeing patients, doing procedures, and managing their practice.

Workers’ comp paperwork can feel like an extra, never-ending task that takes up too much time.

Also Read: 5 Classifications of Workers’ Compensation Cases

#2 Payments Take Forever (If They Come At All)

Doctors like getting paid too, just like the rest of us.

Here’s the problem with workers’ comp: payments are often delayed.

Sometimes, the doctors will see the patient, do the work, and then have to wait months to get paid. If the insurance company decides there’s a dispute, that wait can stretch even longer.

In some cases, doctors might never get paid for their work.

Workers’ comp claims are notorious for dragging out, and if there’s a hitch in the system, it can hold up payments for weeks or even months.

And that means doctors are basically working for free in these cases.

#3 Their Medical Judgment Is Constantly Questioned

For a doctor, their medical judgment is everything.

But when workers’ comp is involved, that judgment often gets called into question.

Insurance adjusters, case managers, and even lawyers get involved, second-guessing decisions that the doctor has made. It’s SUPER frustrating.

Doctors are trained to treat injuries and illnesses based on what’s in front of them, but in a workers’ comp case, their recommendations can be scrutinized by people who may not have the same level of medical expertise.

And when that happens, it can feel like their professional integrity is being undermined.

Also Read: How Much Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

#4 They Get Caught In Legal Mess

Workers’ comp cases often turn legal. There could be disputes about how the injury happened, how bad it really is, or how long the person should stay off work.

And when that happens, guess who ends up right in the middle? Yes, the doctor.

They might have to provide written statements, join conference calls with attorneys, or even testify in a deposition or hearing.

And in some cases, even if the doctor did everything right, they might still find themselves dealing with legal battles just because of how the case unfolds.

It’s a lot of legal hassle they didn’t sign up for when they went into medicine.

#5 They’re Pushed To Rush Recovery

Everyone wants the injured worker to heal and get back to work, obviously.

But there’s a difference between healing properly and being rushed through it. And in workers’ comp, doctors can feel pressure to move things along faster than they’re comfortable with.

Employers don’t want their team short-staffed. Insurance companies don’t want to keep paying.

And sometimes that pressure trickles down to the doctor’s office, even if it’s subtle.

It puts the doctor in a hard spot – trying to help the patient, but also trying to keep the other parties happy.

Also Read: Dealing with a Workers Comp Claim

#6 Patients Don’t Trust Them (And Vice Versa)

This part can get awkward. In a regular doctor-patient relationship, there’s usually a good amount of trust. But in workers’ comp, that trust can get questioned real fast.

Some injured workers feel like the doctor is more loyal to the insurance company than to them.

Others might think the doctor is just trying to get them back to work too soon.

On the other hand, doctors sometimes feel like patients are exaggerating symptoms or dragging out recovery.

Here’s how the tension can show up:

• Patients getting defensive during check-ups
• Doctors keeping their notes extra cautious
• Both sides second-guessing the other’s motives

It’s not exactly what you want in a medical setting.

#7 They Don’t Always Get To Choose Their Patients

In a perfect world, doctors get to choose the patients they want to work with. But in workers’ comp cases, that’s not always the case.

Doctors often have to treat workers assigned to them, and they don’t always have the choice to turn down a case if they don’t feel comfortable with it.

Some doctors don’t like treating workers’ comp patients because they feel like they’re being forced into situations where they don’t have the autonomy to make the best decisions. Others may simply not have the experience or training in treating workplace injuries.

Either way, it can feel like they’re stuck with patients they weren’t prepared for.

#8 They Get Paid Less For The Same Work

After dealing with all the extra paperwork, legal stuff, stress, and complicated relationships doctors actually get paid less for treating workers’ comp patients than they do for treating someone with private insurance.

The rates are usually set by state guidelines and are often way below what doctors normally charge. So from their perspective, it’s the same (or more) work… with worse pay.

That’s a hard sell for anyone trying to run a practice and pay the bills.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, it’s not that doctors hate helping injured workers, they just hate the system that’s tied to workers’ comp. Between the paperwork, payment delays, legal risks, and general lack of trust, it starts to wear them down.

They just want to do what they do best: care for their patients.

But when workers’ comp is involved, it can feel like they’re constantly fighting against the clock, the insurance companies, and even the law.

So next time you hear a doctor sigh when a workers’ comp case walks through the door, it’s not personal. They’re just bracing themselves for the mountain of headaches that come with it.

Honestly? Can’t blame them.