Legal Question in Personal Injury in Missouri

hurt at work

I recently had a work related injury. I was using a welding torch to fabricate a part on a truck and I was badly burnt on my right wrist by the flame coming out of the torch. I immediately went the the nearest Er where I soon was treated and released. I was to see my doctor 3 days later for an evaluation and to see how the wound was healing and when I could go back to work. The doctor told me to stay home until the next follow up visit (about 10 days from initial evaluation) to see how the wound was healing and to see if it was ok to go back to work. After 3 days of not working, my employer contacted my doctor to get information about my injury and to see if I could come back and do light duty work. The doctor did in fact release information to my employer and I am due back to work before my second evaluation. Is there some kind of Hepa law that prohibits release of information to my inquiring employer?


Asked on 8/22/07, 8:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

Re: hurt at work

I suspect that the doctor's office required you to sign a release which authorized the doctor to release information to the employer or the insuror. This is someting that could be verified. Even if the doctor's office violated the law, I do not believe that you would be able to pursue a private cause of action, and even if you could it would not be worth it. Much more importantly, you should be sure to obtain competent legal advice concerning you legal rights under the worker's compensation law. Your injury may not be serious enough for you to engage legal counsel, but you can certainly get a free consultation just to be sure. If you do not already have a good worker's compensation attorney, or if you do not know on, please feel free to call my office and I will refer you toone of the very best. He will be glad to speak with you for no charge to determine if it would be beneficial for you to have an attorney.

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Answered on 8/24/07, 12:00 am


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