If I Am Injured at Sea Am I Required to See a Company Doctor?

No, there is no provision of the Jones Law that requires an injured seaman to receive treatment from a company doctor. In fact, company doctors may have an interest in getting you back to work sooner than you ready. To that end, some company doctors may fail to order the necessary tests to determine the true extent of your injuries, or they may advise you that, despite your injuries, you are able to return to your job.

In order to avoid these potential problems, our New York and New Jersey maritime injury lawyers suggest that injured seamen obtain treatment from an independent doctor whom they trust. Your doctor should be appropriately qualified and fair in his or her assessment of your injuries.

If your employer attempts to require you to see a company doctor, or if you have any questions about your rights as an injured seaman, please contact the New Jersey and New York maritime accident attorneys at Hofmann & Schweitzer for more information.

by Paul T. Hofmann

Focused on personal injury, with an emphasis on maritime, railroad and construction worker tort claims.